Cotton Grass (Eriophorum angustifolium)

Cotton Grass | Eriophorum angustifolium

Native pond marginal plant with soft white seed heads and natural wildlife appeal

Cotton Grass (Eriophorum angustifolium) is a beautiful UK native marginal plant, best known for its iconic fluffy white seed heads that appear to float above the foliage like soft cotton tufts. Despite its name, it is not a true grass but a sedge, perfectly adapted to wet environments such as pond margins, bog gardens, and naturalistic wetland areas.

This plant is a fantastic choice if you are looking to create a more natural, wildlife friendly pond setting. In late spring and early summer, Cotton Grass produces delicate white seed heads that gently sway in the breeze, adding movement, texture, and seasonal interest to your pond. These soft, cotton like tufts remain attractive for weeks, making it a standout feature plant in any marginal planting scheme.

The narrow, grass like foliage forms neat clumps, typically reaching heights of 30 cm to 50 cm. Its compact growth habit makes it suitable for both medium and larger ponds, as well as damp garden areas where consistent moisture is present. It works particularly well when planted in groups, creating a soft, meadow like effect around pond edges.

Cotton Grass thrives in moist to wet soils and prefers slightly acidic conditions, making it ideal for boggy areas and natural pond environments. It grows well in full sun or partial shade and is extremely hardy, coping with even the harshest UK winters.

Beyond its visual appeal, this plant plays an important ecological role. It provides shelter for amphibians such as frogs and newts, while also offering nesting material and cover for birds and other wildlife. Its dense root system helps stabilise soil around pond edges, reducing erosion and supporting a healthy pond ecosystem.

Low maintenance and reliable, Cotton Grass is an excellent addition to any wildlife pond or natural planting scheme, bringing both beauty and biodiversity to your outdoor space.

🇬🇧 UK-grown aquatic plant: Grown at a dedicated aquatic plant nursery in the South of England and carefully prepared for delivery across the UK.

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Key Benefits

• Iconic fluffy white seed heads create soft visual interest
• UK native plant ideal for wildlife friendly ponds
• Provides shelter for amphibians and nesting birds
• Helps stabilise pond edges and reduce erosion
• Fully hardy and low maintenance
• Perfect for naturalistic and bog garden planting

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Reasons to Buy

• Adds movement and texture to pond margins
• Excellent choice for wildlife ponds and natural gardens
• Easy to grow in damp or wet conditions
• Works well in groups for a natural meadow effect
• Reliable perennial that returns year after year

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Care Instructions

• Plant on a marginal shelf or in consistently wet soil at a depth of 0 cm to 20 cm, measured from the top of the basket to the water surface.
• For best results, position in full sun or partial shade and ensure the soil remains moist at all times. Cut back dead foliage and spent seed heads in late autumn or early spring to keep the plant tidy. Divide clumps every few years in spring to maintain healthy growth and prevent overcrowding.

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Flowering Period

April to July, with decorative seed heads lasting into summer

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Size and Growing Conditions

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Dispatching Your Pond Plants

Your Cotton Grass will be carefully packed to protect the foliage and roots during transit.

Orders received by 11am Monday to Wednesday are normally dispatched on the following working day using a next working day courier service. During busy periods, dispatch may occasionally take an extra day.

To avoid plants being held in depots over a weekend, we do not usually dispatch on Fridays. Highlands and Islands orders using a two day service are not normally dispatched on Thursdays.

Available basket sizes:

• Pack of 3 × 9cm Pots
• 1 Litre Basket – usually 11 × 11 × 11cm square; some varieties may be supplied in a 14cm diameter × 10cm round basket
• Pack of 3 × 1 Litre Baskets – each usually 11 × 11 × 11cm square

Planting depth is measured from the top of the aquatic basket to the water surface.

Plants supplied in 9cm pots require potting into suitable aquatic baskets before being placed in the pond.

Finofil baskets are manufactured in the UK from 100% recycled plastic and are fully recyclable. Their fine dual-mesh construction helps retain aquatic soil while allowing water and nutrients to reach the roots. Basket shape may vary slightly depending on the plant and supplier availability.

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Similar pond plants

For another pond-edge planting option, compare Fibre Optic Plant (Isolepis cernua, syn. Scirpus cernuus) and Cowslip (Primula veris).

Explore more marginal pond plants or browse our complete pond plants range. Need baskets, aquatic soil or planting essentials? Browse our pond plant baskets and aquatic planting supplies.