Carex conica, commonly known as Japanese Sedge or Variegated Sedge, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the cool temperate regions of Japan and South Korea. It thrives in moist environments such as meadows, forest clearings, and along stream banks, often on clay or loamy soils. This sedge typically grows at a moderate rate to a height and width of 0.5-1 feet (0.15-0.3 meters), forming dense tufts of fine-textured, grass-like foliage. The leaves are often variegated, adding visual interest even when the plant is not in flower. The flowers of Carex conica are green and inconspicuous, appearing in the spring, but they are not the main attraction of this plant.

Japanese Sedge is valued for its foliage and is used in cultivation for ground cover, border planting, and as an accent in rock gardens or along water features. It is appreciated for its ease of maintenance and ability to fill in spaces with its lush foliage. In garden settings, it prefers full sun to part shade and thrives in medium draining loam or clay soils, with consistent moisture. While generally disease-free, it can suffer from rust or root rot if conditions are too wet. It is not known to be invasive and does not have aggressive roots, making it a safe choice for small garden spaces.CC BY-SA 4.0