A tough, tufting coastal sedge with wiry dark green stems tipped by little knobby seed heads. Salt-, wind- and waterlogging-tolerant, it excels in coastal and rain-garden plantings.
At a glance
- Plant type: Ornamental grass
- Mature size: 70 cm H × 60 cm W
- Aspect: full sun and part shade or morning sun
- Water: regular, moderate watering
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Australian native
About Knobby Club-rush
Ficinia nodosa is a moderate-growing ornamental grass in the Cyperaceae family, native to New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. It reaches around 70 cm tall and 60 cm wide at maturity, with evergreen foliage. Cream green flowers appear in spring and summer.
Where to grow Knobby Club-rush
Knobby Club-rush suits warm-temperate, cool-temperate and Mediterranean climates and grows best in full sun and part shade or morning sun. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters. It also tolerates salt-laden coastal winds and is a genuinely water-wise choice.
Soil & planting
Knobby Club-rush does best in sandy and clay soil. Plant into well-prepared ground, firm the soil around the roots and water deeply to settle it in.
Watering & feeding
Knobby Club-rush does best with regular, moderate watering. As an Australian native, feed it only with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser. For the first year, favour occasional deep watering over frequent shallow drinks so roots move into the surrounding soil.
Pruning & care
Prune Knobby Club-rush after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. Its ongoing care level is low maintenance.
Using Knobby Club-rush in the garden
Knobby Club-rush earns its place for holding soil on banks and slopes, pots and courtyard containers and a feature or specimen planting. It is equally at home in the ground or a large pot on a balcony or courtyard.
Companion planting & design
Build the planting around neighbours suited to the same regular, moderate watering and warm-temperate climate as Knobby Club-rush. Repeating the foliage or flower colour nearby will make the composition feel deliberate. It combines naturally with other Australian natives in a habitat or water-wise garden.
Buying Knobby Club-rush
Plant Sale lists Knobby Club-rush as tube stock and potted plants. Use the interest form above to check current sizes, pricing and availability before ordering.
