To grow Scirpus microcarpus (Small-fruited bulrush, Panicled bulrush), provide consistently moist to wet, nutrient-rich, silty or mucky soil in a full to partial sun location, such as a rain garden or wetland area. Keep the soil consistently wet, and allow for natural water cycles, such as those in rain gardens, for the plant to thrive.

Panicled bulrush is a freshwater marsh plant that thrives in wetland environments. Key care points for panicled bulrush include maintaining consistently moist or even wet soil conditions and providing full to partial sunlight exposure. This species does not typically require additional fertilization and is generally resistant to pests and diseases, making it relatively easy to care for. It is important to simulate its natural habitat for optimal growth.

This special native food has sweet edible roots, rhizomes, and stems, as well as protein rich pollen and nutty-tasting seeds! Panicled Bulrush is high in sugar and starch, and all parts can be eaten raw or cooked. It a great candidate to be made into syrups and sweeteners, as well as staple flours and eaten as fresh vegetables. Native American peoples, wild foragers, and sustainable gardeners value this plant as food. Young roots and young stems (especially the inner core) are the best for fresh vegetables, while the roots, pollen, and seeds are best for making baking flours and soup bases.