Skip to content

Spiny Rush

Juncus Acutus

Design with this plant

Overview

Spiny Rush (Juncus acutus) is a robust, evergreen perennial with an upright, clumping growth habit reaching 2-3 feet tall and wide. Notable for its pointed, spiny-tipped green stems, this rush thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers moist to wet soils, tolerating brackish conditions. It's excellent for natural water features, providing habitat for wildlife and erosion control with minimal maintenance. Care should be taken due to its sharp foliage.

Sun Full, HalfWater Extra in Summer, MediumZones 8–11Type Grass, Perennial
Spiny Rush (Juncus Acutus) — providing habitat for wildlife and erosion control with minimal maintenance; it's resilient to many pests and diseases, image 55

Culture

Sun
Full, Half
Water
Extra in Summer, Medium
USDA zones
8–11

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Grass, Perennial
Family
Juncaceae

See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (79)

Spiny Rush (Juncus Acutus) — or alongside ponds and streams; clumping growth habit reaching 2-3 feet tall and wide
Spiny Rush (Juncus Acutus) — Botanical Name: Juncus acutus<br>Common Name: Spiny Rush<br><br>Description:<br>Juncus acutus; this hardy rush can reach a height
Spiny Rush (Juncus Acutus) — commonly referred to as the Spiny Rush
Spiny Rush (Juncus Acutus) — providing a striking vertical element in your garden design; low-care option for the right landscape
Spiny Rush (Juncus Acutus) — naturalized wetland areas
Spiny Rush (Juncus Acutus) — Spiny Rush (Juncus acutus) is a robust
Spiny Rush (Juncus Acutus) — making it an excellent choice for water gardens; with an approximate spread of 1 to 2 feet
Spiny Rush (Juncus Acutus) — Botanical Name: Juncus acutus<br>Common Name: Spiny Rush<br><br>Description:<br>Juncus acutus
Spiny Rush (Juncus Acutus) — Spiny Rush is highly adaptive but should be managed to prevent it from becoming invasive in certain regions; grass / perennial for
Spiny Rush (Juncus Acutus) — It tolerates a range of soil types
Spiny Rush (Juncus Acutus) — is a robust perennial plant that adds a unique texture to the landscape with its distinctive; evergreen perennial with, image 59
Juncus Acutus
Juncus Acutus
Juncus Acutus
Juncus Acutus
Juncus Acutus
Juncus Acutus
Juncus Acutus
Juncus Acutus
Juncus Acutus
Juncus Acutus
Juncus Acutus
Juncus Acutus
Juncus Acutus
Photographs by 5 contributors

Related plants