How to Grow Acorus calamus (Sweet Flag)? Planting Methods and Daily Care Tips

Acorus calamus is also called white calamus or Tibetan calamus, and mostly grows in marshes, by streams or along paddy field edges. Acorus calamus has strong adaptability during the growing season and can be managed extensively. So how do you grow Acorus calamus?

1. Soil selection

Acorus calamus is best cultivated in marshy, wetland, humus-rich loam.

2. Division

Acorus calamus is usually divided and planted in September to October; after removing the withered yellow old leaves, divide the plant into small clumps of 5 to 10 tillers.

3. Weeding and watering

After planting Acorus calamus, root weeds should be pulled out promptly over the long term, with timely loosening of the soil and watering; never let it dry out.

4. Reasonable fertilizing

Acorus calamus is generally given 2 topdressings of human feces and urine, mainly nitrogen fertilizer, with an appropriate increase in phosphorus and potassium fertilizer.

5. Pest and disease control

Acorus calamus is often damaged on the leaves by rice grasshoppers, which can be controlled with a 1000-fold dilution of 90% trichlorfon crystals.

Acorus calamus is a toxic plant listed in the Chinese plant atlas database; its toxicity is such that the whole plant is toxic, with the rhizome being more toxic. Taking a large amount orally produces strong hallucinations.