Cattails are an invasive species, but may also be a helpful one

It is investigated as a growing medium in greenhouses and a soil enhancer for crops

Replacing peat moss with cattails is being investigated as a way to help crops thrive and provide an option that is good for the environment.

“Cattails are an abundant wetland plant, and they have potential to be used as a growing medium,” Dr. Poonam Singh said in an interview with Ontario Farmer. “They are a renewable resource, locally available, and can help reduce reliance on peat, which is increasingly under environmental scrutiny.”

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There is, however, a challenge and it’s because of the fibres of this invasive species.

“Raw cattail fibres are quite hydrophobic, and also immobilize some nutrients, making their use only at low proportions of 10 to 20% in the growing media by volume