Mudmats: Why This Wetland Plant Might Not Be Right for Your Garden
If you’ve been searching for a ground cover for wet areas in your garden, you might have come across mudmats (Glossostigma cleistanthum). While this tiny, mat-forming plant might seem like an appealing option for water features or boggy spots, there are some important things every gardener should know before considering it for their landscape.
What Are Mudmats?
Mudmats are small, creeping plants that form dense mats along the ground. This herbaceous perennial belongs to the forb family, meaning it’s a non-woody plant that lacks the thick, sturdy stems of shrubs or trees. Instead, it produces soft, fleshy stems that spread along the soil surface, creating a carpet-like effect.
The plant gets its common name from its preferred habitat – muddy, wet areas where it can spread freely. With tiny, rounded leaves and inconspicuous white flowers, mudmats might not win any beauty contests, but they’re certainly effective at covering ground quickly.
A Non-Native with a Big Problem
Here’s where things get tricky: mudmats aren’t native to North America. Originally from Australia and New Zealand, this plant has made itself at home in several eastern states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.
While it might seem harmless, mudmats have earned a concerning reputation. In Wisconsin, the plant is actually prohibited due to its invasive status. This means it’s been identified as a species that can cause ecological harm by outcompeting native plants and disrupting local ecosystems.
Why Mudmats Can Be Problematic
Mudmats are what we call obligate wetland plants, meaning they almost always occur in wetlands. While this specialization might seem limiting, it actually makes them quite aggressive in their preferred habitat. Here’s why they can be troublesome:
- They spread rapidly through runners, forming dense mats that can smother native vegetation
- Once established, they’re difficult to remove completely
- They reproduce spontaneously without human intervention, spreading to new areas on their own
- Their small size makes them easy to overlook until they’ve already established a foothold
Growing Conditions and Care
If mudmats are already present in your area, understanding their growing preferences can help you identify and manage them. These plants thrive in:
- Consistently moist to saturated soils
- Full sun to partial shade conditions
- USDA hardiness zones 6-10
- Pond margins, stream edges, and other wetland areas
The plant’s ability to tolerate a range of light conditions and its preference for constantly wet soil makes it particularly well-suited to water gardens and bog areas – exactly the places where native wetland plants should be thriving instead.
Better Native Alternatives
Instead of risking the ecological problems that come with mudmats, consider these native alternatives for wet areas in your garden:
- Wild ginger for shaded, moist areas with attractive heart-shaped leaves
- Creeping phlox for sunny spots that need colorful ground cover
- Native sedges for authentic wetland plantings with excellent wildlife value
- Wild strawberry for edible ground cover that supports pollinators
The Bottom Line
While mudmats might seem like an easy solution for covering wet, difficult areas in your garden, their invasive potential makes them a poor choice for responsible gardeners. With so many beautiful native alternatives available, there’s really no need to risk introducing a potentially harmful non-native species to your landscape.
If you suspect you already have mudmats in your garden, consider consulting with your local extension office or native plant society for guidance on removal and replacement with appropriate native species. Your local ecosystem – and your gardening neighbors – will thank you for making the eco-friendly choice.
