Sweet flag Acorus gramineus 'Ogon' (v)
ABOUT
Acorus gramineus 'Ogon', also known as Golden Sweet Flag, is an appealing ornamental plant with a distinctive appearance. It features narrow, sword-like leaves that display a vibrant golden-yellow to yellow-green coloration. The foliage is often variegated, creating an eye-catching contrast with various shades of gold and green stripes running longitudinally along each leaf. The leaves emerge in a fan-like manner from rhizomes, creating a tufted and dense clump that adds texture to garden settings. During the growing season, this plant may display inconspicuous, spike-like flowers that are greenish-yellow, though they are often overlooked in favor of the attractive foliage. The plant's overall form is grassy and upright, giving it a lush and full appearance that can brighten up and add interest to pondsides, garden edges, and borders. The Golden Sweet Flag is appreciated for its year-round interest, as the leaves tend to remain colorful even in milder winters. Overall, the Golden Sweet Flag stands out in a garden due to its brightly colored leaves, variegated pattern, and dense, grass-like form, offering a lively accent to a variety of landscaping designs.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Golden Variegated Sweet Flag, Golden Japanese Rush, Ogon Sweet Flag
Common names
Acorus gramineus 'Variegatus', Acorus gramineus var. pusillus.
ToxicityTo humans
Sweet flag, as Acorus gramineus 'Ogon' is commonly known, is not considered highly toxic to humans. However, ingestion of its parts can potentially cause mild stomach upset or irritation of the mouth and throat, as such effects have been reported for some species within the Acorus genus. It is generally advised to avoid ingestion of ornamental plants like sweet flag and to seek medical attention if symptoms develop after ingesting any part of the plant.
To pets
Sweet flag is not specifically listed as toxic to household pets such as dogs and cats. However, just like for humans, ingestion of plant material may cause mild digestive upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea. If a pet ingests part of the sweet flag plant and displays symptoms, consulting with a veterinarian is recommended. Generally, keeping ornamental plants out of reach of pets is a good precautionary measure.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Variegated
Height
1 foot (30 cm)
Spread
1 foot (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: Its variegated golden-yellow and green striped leaves add visual interest and brightness to landscapes and gardens.
- Low Maintenance: It is a hardy plant that requires minimal care once established, making it ideal for low-maintenance gardens.
- Soil Erosion Control: It has a rhizomatous root system that helps stabilize soil and prevent erosion, particularly along pond margins and stream banks.
- Water Garden Enhancement: Ogon is well-suited for planting around water features, contributing to the aesthetic of water gardens.
- Container Gardening: It can thrive in pots or containers, offering flexibility in garden design and suitability for balcony and patio gardens.
- Wildlife Support: Its dense foliage provides shelter and breeding grounds for various wildlife, particularly in water garden settings.
- Seasonal Interest: Its foliage maintains interest throughout the seasons, with some color persisting even in mild winters.
- Complement to Other Plants: Its striking foliage color contrasts well with darker greens and other plants, making it a great companion plant for mixed borders.
Medical Properties- Anti-inflammatory: Acorus gramineus 'Ogon' has been used in traditional medicine to reduce inflammation.
- Neuroprotective: It may offer protection for the nervous system, but evidence is predominantly from traditional usage rather than clinical trials.
- Cognitive enhancement: There is some traditional use of this plant for improving memory and cognitive functions.
- Antioxidant: The plant has antioxidant properties, which can help in neutralizing free radicals in the body.
- Anti-bacterial: Extracts from Acorus gramineus 'Ogon' have been traditionally used to fight bacterial infections.
- Antifungal: The plant has been used in some cultures to treat fungal infections.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Container Planting: Acorus gramineus 'Ogon' is suitable for container gardening, adding color and texture to balconies, patios, or as part of a mixed planter arrangement.
- Culinary Garnish: Although not commonly consumed, the grassy leaves can be used as an edible garnish to add a citrus-like aroma to dishes.
- Crafts: Dried leaves of Acorus gramineus 'Ogon' can be incorporated into floral arrangements or used in making wreaths and other natural craft projects.
- Water Features: This plant can be grown around ponds or water gardens to create a naturalized setting, enhancing the aesthetic of water features.
- Border Edging: The plant can serve as an attractive, low-growing edge for flower beds or pathways, giving a neat appearance to garden design.
- Substrate Stabilization: It can be used in landscaping to stabilize soil and reduce erosion on banks or slopes due to its dense root system.
- Meditative Spaces: The light, airy foliage and subtle gold coloring are ideal for creating calming environments in zen gardens or other meditative spaces.
- Fish Aquariums: Some hobbyists use Acorus gramineus 'Ogon' emersed in freshwater aquariums, though it is not an aquatic plant, to create a backdrop and provide shelter to small fish.
- Photography Prop: This plant can be used as a photogenic backdrop or as a complementary green element in still life and botanical photography.
- Educational Tool: In botanical studies and demonstrations, Acorus gramineus 'Ogon' exemplifies certain plant division and variegation features to students.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Sweet Flag is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Sweet Flag is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Peace: Acorus gramineus 'Ogon', also known as Sweet Flag or Golden Japanese Sweet Flag, is often associated with tranquility and calm. Its serene appearance and gentle sway in the breeze can symbolize a peaceful state of mind or environment.
- Protection: In some cultural traditions, Sweet Flag is believed to have protective qualities. Planting it around homes or in gardens was thought to ward off negative energies or spirits.
- Healing: This plant has been used in various traditional medicines. Its symbolism as a healing plant relates to its purported medicinal properties that may include soothing digestive issues and other ailments.
- Purity: The clean, upright growth and lush foliage of the Sweet Flag can represent purity of the body and the soul, often connecting to its usage in herbal remedies and its ability to grow in water, which is a symbol of purification.
- Enlightenment: In some Eastern cultures, Sweet Flag is known to be used in spiritual practices. The plant can symbolize the search for enlightenment and the betterment of one's spiritual self.
WaterThe Japanese sweet flag should be watered deeply and allowed to slightly dry out before watering again. On average, this equates to watering roughly every 5 to 7 days during active growth in spring and summer, but this can vary based on climate and environmental conditions. Provide about 1/2 gallon for potted specimens, adjusting for size, as outdoor plants may require more. In the winter, reduce watering frequency to about every 2 to 3 weeks, or when the soil is almost completely dry to the touch.
LightSweet flag thrives in partial to full sunlight. The best spot for this plant is where it can receive morning sunlight and partial shade in the afternoon, although it can still grow in full sun if not too intense. Ensure that the plant gets at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight a day to maintain its vibrant foliage color.
TemperatureSweet flag is hardy and prefers temperatures ranging between 40 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive temporary dips below freezing but long-term exposure to temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit can be damaging. The ideal growing conditions are within the moderate temperature range where it's neither too hot nor too cold.
PruningPrune sweet flag to rejuvenate the plant and remove any yellow or damaged leaves. Trimming can be done in spring or early summer, before new growth begins. Sweet flag typically does not require frequent pruning, once a year or as needed should suffice. Always use clean, sharp tools to make precise cuts.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSweet flag 'Ogon' thrives best in a rich, moist to wet soil with good drainage and a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5. A mix of loamy soil, peat or compost, and some sand for aeration creates an ideal growing medium for this plant.
RepottingSweet flag 'Ogon' should generally be repotted every 2 to 3 years, or when it outgrows its current pot or the soil appears exhausted. Spring is the best time for repotting this plant.
Humidity & MistingSweet flag 'Ogon' prefers high humidity conditions but is adaptive and can tolerate lower humidity levels often found in home environments without significant distress.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Sweet flag 'Ogon' in bright, indirect light and keep soil moist.
Outdoor
Plant Sweet flag 'Ogon' in partial sun, keep soil wet or moist.
Hardiness zone
5-11 USDA
Life cycleThe Acorus gramineus 'Ogon', commonly known as Golden Variegated Sweet Flag, begins its life as a rhizome, which then sprouts into a small shoot. As it grows, the shoot develops into a clump of slender, variegated foliage that is green with yellow stripes. The mature plant forms tufts of grass-like leaves and occasionally produces inconspicuous brownish-green flowers that are followed by berries, though flowering is rare and often goes unnoticed. The plant expands by creeping rhizomes, forming larger clumps or colonies. It is perennial and will continue to grow and spread each season if the conditions are suitable, often requiring division every few years to manage its spread and maintain vigor. In the winter or in response to unfavorable conditions, the above-ground foliage may die back, but the plant will typically resume growth from the rhizome with the return of favorable growing conditions.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Japanese Sweet Flag 'Ogon' is commonly propagated by division. The best time for this is in the spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. To propagate by division, simply lift the entire plant from the soil and carefully pull apart the rhizomes, ensuring that each division has at least one growing point or shoot. Replant the divisions immediately in their new locations, maintaining the same soil depth as they were originally growing. These divisions should be kept well-watered to establish a healthy root system. Typically, the new plants will establish quickly and can be expected to grow with the same vigor as the parent plant.
