Perhaps you’ve heard of or seen pond cattails before—they’re an iconic plant associated with many types of waterbodies. Interestingly, they have the potential to be both good and bad for a body of water.
Maybe you are concerned about cattail growth in your own waterbody and are looking for some answers, pond cattail facts and recommendations. Maybe you’d like to know how to get rid of cattails in a pond on your golf course or in your community. Regardless, you’ve come to the right place.
What Are Cattails?
Cattails (Typha spp.) are a type of aquatic plant, approximately 5-10 feet tall.
They are characterized by:
- Long, slender, branchless, upward-growing leaves
- A distinguishable brown, cylindrical flowering head at the apex
- Extensive underground rhizome (root) systems typical of emergent aquatic plants
Pond cattails are often viewed as iconic because they are so common and widespread, and can be aesthetically pleasing. Capable of growing in various aquatic habitats, cattails can be found in and/or around small and large waterbodies, wetlands, and even detention ponds around the world.
Currently, there are about 30 different species of cattails worldwide, with four of those species present in North America.
When Pond Cattails Are Beneficial
When growing within a larger waterbody, cattails can be a beneficial species to have and are often encouraged by professional lake managers.
Benefits of cattails include:
- Stabilizing shorelines and helping prevent erosion
- Acting as a natural buffer that filters runoff before it reaches the water
- Absorbing excess nutrients that could otherwise fuel algae and nuisance plant growth
- Helping maintain the transition between aquatic and terrestrial habitats
- Supporting wildlife and providing habitat for migratory birds
Additional uses of cattails:
- Some plant parts are edible
- Stalks have historically been used to make baskets, mats, and rope by Indigenous communities
When Pond Cattail Control Is Necessary
Cattails can also be a nuisance species, especially within smaller ponds.
As cattails have a large rhizome system that is capable of rapidly expanding within shallower water depths, they can easily encroach upon a small waterbody. Most cattail species found in North America are native, but their growth can become dense, causing far-reaching issues as they create a cattail monoculture.
The negative impacts of pond cattails include:
- Outcompete other native plants
- Create a cattail monoculture
- Reduce species richness in the waterbody
- Limit open-water habitat
As cattails take over smaller ponds, it can also lead to secondary impacts, including:
- Increased muskrat activity (which can be destructive and unwanted)
- More mosquito habitat due to stagnant, reduced-flow conditions
- Reduced access to water for wildlife and recreation when shoreline becomes fully encroached
How to Get Rid of Cattails in a Pond
First and foremost, call your local lake and pond management professionals to assess the extent, composition, and distribution of the growth, as this information will be essential in determining whether control is warranted and which strategy is most appropriate for your situation.
Although you may want to remove them completely, eradication of a native species is not usually encouraged. Fortunately, cattail control is possible. The species can be maintained at non-nuisance and even beneficial conditions to balance all interests.
Pond Cattail Management Options
Two primary management options are available for cattail removal: treatment with aquatic herbicides or mechanical removal.
Aquatic Herbicide Treatment
Aquatic herbicide treatment is performed by a licensed professional applying EPA- and state-registered herbicides directly to the plant leaves. This is often the more cost-effective option and provides species-selective, systemic control
However, it does not immediately remove plant material from the waterbody, meaning decomposition or physical removal may be needed over time. Additionally, it does not prevent regrowth.
Mechanical Removal and Integrated Control Strategies
Mechanical removal is typically performed using a hydro-rake (a floating backhoe with a rake attachment). Hydro-raking is a viable option if use of herbicides is not desirable within an area
This method removes both cattails and their root systems, preventing future regrowth. However, it is not species selective and has more logistical limitations compared to chemical treatment
Integrated Approach to Cattail Management
Ideally, a combination of the two techniques can maximize overall efficacy and sustained long-term control, while minimizing system impacts over the long-term.
Always keep in mind that local state and municipality regulations may apply, and it is worth consulting your local environmental regulatory body before beginning any work.
Are Cattails Good or Bad for My Pond?
Unfortunately, there’s no one perfect answer to whether pond cattails are good or bad, as the dilemma is very situationally dependent. Good or bad, a healthy balance of aquatic vegetation and the overall dynamic aquatic ecosystem should be the ultimate goal of any pond or lake management endeavor.
By working together with your local aquatic management specialists to better understand your cattail growth, an appropriate and environmentally responsible management plan can be tailored to meet your specific goals and situation.
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