Taking Some Time to Enjoy Corkscrew Rush

Spooky and pumpkin-filled October is the perfect time to pick up a wild and crazy Corkscrew Rush plant, Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis’. This unusual green addition to your fall decorations surely will be a hit with all ages.

It is hard to say what it is about spirals, but they seem to speak to the child in all of us. Maybe it is corkscrew pasta in small bowls or springy curled ribbon on childhood gifts that comes to mind. Maybe it is the classic toy that could descend stairs with a little help from a small hand, spiraling from one step to the next. Whatever it is, “spiral” seems synonymous with “fun”. And Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis’ is fun.

I love adding a small and fascinating plant to a hollowed-out sugar pumpkin. I keep the plant in its original container for this purpose, so that the soil does not come in direct contact with the pumpkin flesh. I embellish the pumpkin with some eyes, at a minimum. In a few simple steps, a harvest fruit becomes a harvest character that is complete with spectacular hair—“hair”, in this case, thanks to Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis’. 

Getting Corkscrew Rush is by no means vital to this “pumpkin person” project. But, oh, does it ever work well! For the same purpose, small Mums are great, if not a little expected. And String of Pearls plants provide cascading “locks” that I like a lot. But Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis’ gives a wilder look… electric, so to speak.

Juncus effusus is known as Soft Rush or Common Rush. Gardeners purchase it to plant near ponds or water features. With an affinity to moist soil, it grows well at the water’s edge. Some even place it in the water. Using Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis’ or any similar Rush as a water plant is appropriate when the plant is on the mature side and has enough height (it grows to a bit more than a foot tall) to take the plunge.

Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis’ spreads to about a foot-and-a-half… a respectable clump of spiraling greenery. But most of these plants for purchase start out much smaller than this, and thus are perfect for an indoor display. Outdoors or in, Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis’ is not fussy about light levels. This Corkscrew Rush can grow in sun or shade, although indoor locations should be on the brighter side to keep the plant looking its best.

When purchasing Corkscrew Rush for an autumn display—I am like a broken record when it comes to mentioning the “pumpkin people”—or for keeping indoors in general, you will want to use an all-purpose liquid fertilizer just once or twice per year. If you prefer to get this plant right into the ground and think you will be untroubled by anything resembling an early frost in your area, then do not worry about fertilizing it at all. Outdoors, Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis’ is incredibly self-sufficient. Indoors, for all of us who are guilty of overwatering (something many plants cannot tolerate), Corkscrew Rush is a great match. It will not take issue with our propensity to use the watering can, and in fact, it can even sit in containers with no drainage holes.

Corkscrew Rush is perfect for “pumpkin people”. Oh, and have you seen “face vases”, the plant containers that mimic the human face? My, I am spiraling out of control again as I think of all the locations in which I could play up the whimsical look of Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis’. I am sure you will come up with many more ideas for enjoying this unique and easy-to-grow plant. Take the time to enjoy it... no rush.