Sweet flag can be planted in full sun to partial shade and loves a rich moist spot such as a pond or bog, but will tolerate average garden soil so long as it is kept moist. Use the strong variegated, vertical foliage as an accent to brighten the landscape or in a pond where it can reflect beautifully on the water. Very hardy - growing to USDA Zone 3 (-30 °F).

Acorus calamus is a circumboreal plant growing naturally throughout the Northern hemisphere from India, Nepal, central Asia, southern Russia and Siberia, Europe and North America. The name for the genus is from the from Greek word 'akoron' used for a "plant with aromatic roots" and the specific epithet is from Latin, meaning "cane". It can be easily identified by crushing the foliage, the odor is strong and spicy like citrus. The root has a pungent, aromatic taste, and is used medicinally; the leaves have an aromatic odor, and it was formerly used instead of rushes to strew on dirt floors. In addition, when the knotted stalk is cut and dried and reduced to powder, it forms an ingredient in the most precious perfumes. We grew this plant with other plants for water gardens from 1997 until 2012 and only discontinued as we concentrated on drier growing plants more suitable to or climate. 

The information about Acorus calamus 'Variegatus' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant.