PlantFiles: Corkscrew Rush
Juncus effusus 'Spiralis'

I potted this plant in potting soil, then filled the bottom of a seperate container with rocks and covered the rocks with water. I submerged the bottom part of the plant into the water, only about 1/3 of the way though. I divided the original plant once, gave half away, and divided the second half again. I have one half (pictured) in the front yard in full sun most of the day and it seems to love it. I have the other half on my back patio with bright, indirect morning sun and afternoon shade. Both plants are thriving. Also, the roots grow like mad. It needs to be trimmed or repotted pretty often. It is one of my favorites.

We have it in a floating "island" in our little goldfish pond. It has grown so vigorously (fish-fertilizer and submerged roots) that we have had to trim the roots several times. Now even that isn't enough (after maybe 5 months of growth) and I have to divide it. Will try to plant some in a boggy area or a bog-pot and see if it does as well out of the water as it does in.

I have had this plant for a few months and have it in a large pot in full sun, the pot does not drain and I water it every day and it is very happy! I do not know yet how it will do in the HOT Texas summer. If it starts to show signs of damage I will create some sort of a bog for it. But as for now it is getting greener and larger and thicker at the bottom.

My corkscrew rush struggled along for months, yellowish and unhealthy looking. I learned that it likes lots of water, so I watered it more, to little effect. Finally I put it in a plastic nursery pot with no drainage, put some gravel on top of the soil, and submerged that pot in a larger pot of water. The water level is just above the gravel and now the plant is starting to look green and vigorous.

A newbie to the Corkscrew myself, I learned just
in time to provide more water for my new plant before
it was too late. I swear, the corkscrews were trying
to form the letters "N E E D W A T E R".

Once I began keeping it wet or in water, it
thrived. I just love this little cutie!

I was fascinated by this plant when I saw it for the first time in a local nursery that tends to carry some unusual plants. I had to have one! and brought it home and put it in my garden. Unfortunately, the plant did not come with any care instructions and it died, probably because I didn't provide enough water. I have a slim hope that there might be some life left in the rootstock that will regenerate some growth.

If I come by one of these plants again, I'll keep it in a pot and keep it wet (based on what I've read in the comments above). It is a real conversation piece and very attractive, I think.

Jeremy

Not sure this is the cultivar--mine came from an informal sale without a label, but it is growing vigorously outdoors in a container without a drainage hole and overwintered successfully in a heavily mulched plastic pot. It was very cold last winter--several nights went below -20F. Contrary to the description above, it is currently flowering--small brown inflorescences up and down the stem. Very entertaining plant. Curly, vigorous, and charming.

Plant in the shallow end of your pond, or on a shelf - it should be only 1-6" deep in the water.