Consulta Plantas

Care of the aquatic plant Cyperus papyrus or Paper reed

The genus Cyperus, family Cyperaceae, includes 700 species of annual and perennial plants distributed on all continents. Some species are: Cyperus papyrus, Cyperus haspan, Cyperus alternifolius, Cyperus gracilis, Cyperus longus, Cyperus diffusus, Cyperus esculentus.

Common names: Papyrus sedge, Nile grass, Indian matting plant, Paper reed. This species is native to Africa.

They are rhizomatous and aquatic plants with triangular section stems that reach 5 meters (16,4 feet) in height. The leaves appear in tufts at the end of the stems and are long, thin and jade green. The flowers appear in brown spikes that are not as decorative as the foliage.

These easy-to-grow plants are used in ponds or small lakes; its extension should be controlled from the rhizomes so that it does not become invasive. They are also used in pots as indoor plants.

Cyperus papyrus can grow in full sun or semi-shade outdoor exposures; indoors it is better to place them in an illuminated exhibition but without direct sun. The winter safety temperature is 10 ºC (50 ºF).

The soil can be a mixture of 25% coarse sand, 25% garden substrate and 50% peat.

If they are grown in pots, they must be watered frequently so that the substrate is always moist. They do not resist drought.

They appreciate a monthly fertilization with mineral fertilizer in spring and summer.

Prune intensively at the end of winter to make them sprout more vigorously.

They are plants resistant to the usual pests and diseases.

They propagate easily by division of rhizomes or by cuttings of 15 cm (5.9") in length that are put to root in water and then transplant into a pot.

Images of the aquatic plant Cyperus papyrus or Paper reed