Free Shipping on $50+ orders!

Basket

Sweet Flag Seeds

Acorus americanus

4.00 (4 reviews)
  • HOW TO GROW
  • FAST FACTS
  • REVIEWS

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: Mix the Sweet Flag seed with moist sand and store it in the refrigerator for 60 days before spring planting. To accomplish this naturally, simply plant the seed in late fall and wait until the spring for germination. Stratified seed can also be started indoors in late winter. Sow Acorus calamus seed on the surface of a flat, pressing it down slightly but not burying the seed. Keep the soil very moist until germination, which should occur within 14 days.

Growing: When plants reach 3-4" in height, transplant into pots; keep them in shallow water or water them often. After the last frost of spring, transplant 12-24" apart in full or partial sun and mucky, wet soil. This plant is semi aquatic and even tolerates standing water; it does not tolerate drought. It also grows fairly well in normal soil, though its height may be slightly stunted. After two years, the plants can be divided for new plantings. Division should be done in spring to allow the plants to become established before cold weather. Sweet flag plants spread by rhizomes just below the surface, but are not invasive and can be moved without too much difficulty.

Harvesting: Rhizomes can be harvested for new plantings in early spring before new growth, or in late autumn. Harvest when large and firm, usually after 2 - 3 years of growth.

Seed Saving: The white or cream colored bracht will turn brown as the seed matures in late summer or early fall. Harvest the brachts when they have ripened fully, and spread them out to dry away from direct sunlight. Rub them lightly to remove Sweet Flag seeds from the stems. Store the seed in a cool, dry place.

FAST FACTS

Common Names: Single-vein sweetflag, Calamus

Latin Name: Acorus americanus

Species Origin: US Native Wildflower

Type: Native Wildflowers

Life Cycle: Perennial

USDA Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

US Regions: California, Mountain, Plains/Texas, Midwest, Northern, Northeast, Southeast

Seeds per Ounce: 8,300

Stratification: Cold/Wet for 8 Weeks

Germination Ease: Stratify 8 Weeks

Sunlight: Full Sun

Height: 24 Inches

Color: Green

Bloom Season: Blooms Late Spring, Blooms Early Summer

Sweet Flag Seeds 5.0
Review By Beverly

SWeet flag seeds

The seeds arrived promptly. I have not been able to assess the viability of the seeds as yet.

Sweet Flag Seeds 1.0
Review By Griffin

Acorus calamus is not native

This website took the BONAP map and changed the colors. The native species is acorus americanus. This is wildly irresponsible.

Thank you for the correction - we actually do have native Acorus americanus from the Upper Midwest and have corrected our listing.

Sweet Flag Seeds 5.0
Review By seed grower

well packaged

Seeds arrived well packaged.Should be high germination rate. Super pleased.

Sweet Flag Seeds 5.0
Review By Kenneth Easter

Thanks

Have not received this item. Yet

OK shipped out right after it was ordered, but tracking just says "in transit". Will ship it out again for you, and hopefully will make it there this time!

Size Price Quantity
XL Mylar Packet (~200 Seeds) $3.48 -+
1/4 Oz Mylar (7.09g) $7.96 -+
1 Oz Mylar (~8,300 Seeds) $18.26 -+
1/4 Lb Mylar (113g) $60.80 -+
1 Lb Bulk Bag (454g) $228.00 Notify Me
5 Lb Bulk Bag (2.27kg) $1,026.00 Notify Me
10 Lb Bulk Bag (4.54kg) $1,824.00 Notify Me
Add to Wishlist

DESCRIPTION

This grass-like, aromatic perennial has narrow iris-like leaves that thrive in wet conditions, making it a unique addition to a pond or stream bank. Crushing the leaves on the Sweet Flag plant yields a fresh aroma.
Opinions differ on the origins of Sweet Flag seeds. Records show its early presence in India, and it later spread to Europe along trade routes. Because it also thrived in early North America and was a traditional part of Native American medicine, Sweet Flag is also be native to the United States. In medieval churches and palaces, its sweet, spicy fragrance made it a popular "strewing" herb for freshening the air. The essential oil is often included in perfumes and sachets, and also used in aromatherapy; calamus oil is one of the ingredients in an ancient recipe for anointing oil found in the Bible. The roots make a natural insect repellent, while the blade-like foliage has also been used as for thatching English cottages. Sweet Flag was a favorite of writers Henry David Thoreau and Walt Whitman; Whitman composed a series of "Calamus" poems, which he included in his famous poetry collection "Leaves of Grass."

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: Mix the Sweet Flag seed with moist sand and store it in the refrigerator for 60 days before spring planting. To accomplish this naturally, simply plant the seed in late fall and wait until the spring for germination. Stratified seed can also be started indoors in late winter. Sow Acorus calamus seed on the surface of a flat, pressing it down slightly but not burying the seed. Keep the soil very moist until germination, which should occur within 14 days.

Growing: When plants reach 3-4" in height, transplant into pots; keep them in shallow water or water them often. After the last frost of spring, transplant 12-24" apart in full or partial sun and mucky, wet soil. This plant is semi aquatic and even tolerates standing water; it does not tolerate drought. It also grows fairly well in normal soil, though its height may be slightly stunted. After two years, the plants can be divided for new plantings. Division should be done in spring to allow the plants to become established before cold weather. Sweet flag plants spread by rhizomes just below the surface, but are not invasive and can be moved without too much difficulty.

Harvesting: Rhizomes can be harvested for new plantings in early spring before new growth, or in late autumn. Harvest when large and firm, usually after 2 - 3 years of growth.

Seed Saving: The white or cream colored bracht will turn brown as the seed matures in late summer or early fall. Harvest the brachts when they have ripened fully, and spread them out to dry away from direct sunlight. Rub them lightly to remove Sweet Flag seeds from the stems. Store the seed in a cool, dry place.

FAST FACTS

Common Names: Single-vein sweetflag, Calamus

Latin Name: Acorus americanus

Species Origin: US Native Wildflower

Type: Native Wildflowers

Life Cycle: Perennial

USDA Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

US Regions: California, Mountain, Plains/Texas, Midwest, Northern, Northeast, Southeast

Seeds per Ounce: 8,300

Stratification: Cold/Wet for 8 Weeks

Germination Ease: Stratify 8 Weeks

Sunlight: Full Sun

Height: 24 Inches

Color: Green

Bloom Season: Blooms Late Spring, Blooms Early Summer

Reviews

4.00
Global Rating: 4.00 from 4 reviews
5.0

Review By Beverly

SWeet flag seeds

The seeds arrived promptly. I have not been able to assess the viability of the seeds as yet.

1.0

Review By Griffin

Acorus calamus is not native

This website took the BONAP map and changed the colors. The native species is acorus americanus. This is wildly irresponsible.

Thank you for the correction - we actually do have native Acorus americanus from the Upper Midwest and have corrected our listing.

5.0

Review By seed grower

well packaged

Seeds arrived well packaged.Should be high germination rate. Super pleased.

5.0

Review By Kenneth Easter

Thanks

Have not received this item. Yet

OK shipped out right after it was ordered, but tracking just says "in transit". Will ship it out again for you, and hopefully will make it there this time!