Control Flowering Rush

Many people ask how to get rid of flowering rush. This invasive plant is hardy and is a tough to control aquatic emergent reed. The following options can be considered for how to control flowering rush.

Click here to read more about identifying this plant.

Manual/Mechanical Control:

If you are considering how to remove flowering rush, physically cutting this plant and digging up the roots can be a somewhat effective method of control.

Herbicide Control:

There is an option for how to kill flowering rush that offers some control.

1. Dibrox – Liquid contact herbicide that can mixed and diluted with water and sprayed directly on the plants.
2. Cattail and Water Lily Control (Imox + surfactant) (for ponds or lakes) – liquids that are mixed and diluted with water and sprayed directly on the exposed parts of the plants.

Treatment Tips:

When treating flowering rush,

• Consider mixing Dibrox and Imox for best results on flower rush control.
• With Imox or other systemic herbicides, treatment is most effective when the plants are mature or close to full grown. This allows for more plant surface to spray enough mixture on.
  • Treat in late summer to early fall to get better kill of the root systems. At this time, plants are pulling energy into their roots to store for the winter.
• Bare ground treatments of flowering rush during drawdowns are effective in reducing root and rhizome biomass. Two or more consecutive years of treatment may be needed for significant effects.
• If the flowering rush are submersed, higher rates of Imox will be needed; see the label for rates based on average depth.