Abstract. Methane (CH₄) emissions from drained organic soils are generally low, but internal gas transport in aerenchymatous plants may result in local emission hotspots. In a paired-sample field study at three different sites we measured fluxes of CH₄ with static chambers from adjacent sampling quadrats with and without Juncus effusus during four field campaigns. At all three sites, CH₄ was observed in the soil at all sampling depths (5 to 100 cm), and in most cases both above and below the groundwater table. During spring, local maxima suggested methanogenesis also took place above the water table at all three sites. We found significant CH₄ emissions at all three sites, but emission controls were clearly different. Across the three sites, average emission rates (±1 SE) for sampling quadrats with and without J. effusus were 1.47 ± 0.28 and 1.37 ± 0.33 mg CH₄ m⁻² h⁻¹, respectively, with no overall effect of J. effusus on CH₄ emissions. However, a significant effect of J. effusus was seen at one of the three sites. At this site, local CH₄ maxima were closer to the soil surface than at the other sites, and the upper soil layers were dryer. This could have affected both root CH₄ accessibility and CH₄ oxidation respectively, and together with limited gas diffusivity in the soil column, cause elevated CH₄ emissions from J. effusus. We conclude that J. effusus has the potential to act as point sources of CH₄ from drained peatlands, but more studies on the specific conditions under which there is an effect, are needed before the results can be used in modelling of CH₄ emissions.