Cyperus papyrus, the papyrus of pharaohs and living rooms
Cyperus papyrus
- Exposure
- Sun
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 10b (1.7°C ≤ T° < 4.4°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Cyperaceae
- Genus
- Nutsedge Cyperus
- Species
- Papyrus Cyperus papyrus
Other name:Souchet papyrus
Just hear the word papyrus and you'll be transported back to the Nile delta in the days of the pharaohs and the cat- or beetle-headed gods. Although Cyperus papyrus has almost disappeared from the banks of the Egyptian river, the plant continues to thrive in the humid regions of Africa. It can even be grown indoors or outdoors in Europe.
How to recognize paper nutsedge, Cyperus papyrus?
Cyperus papyrus is an upright herbaceous perennial. In its natural habitat, it grows to a height of nine meters. It grows more modestly in our latitudes. At the edge of a pond, it grows to no more than five meters. In pots, it measures two meters at most. But paper nutsedge develops rapidly thanks to its rhizomes. It can spread over several square meters.
The papyrus stem is green on the outside. The bark protects a soft, white substance. The triangular stems are thick at the base (up to 15 cm) and thin at the top. At their base grow brown, lanceolate leaves. But these limbs die, as they don't receive enough light.
The stem is crowned by an umbel of evergreen leaves. Bright green, they are supple and fall delicately, like fireworks. They are supported by stiff brown bracts. Each umbel measures between 30 and 60 centimetres in diameter.
The fertile umbels bear the flower spikes. Brown and hard, they appear between June and October.
Cyperus papyrus is non-toxic. Animals, especially felines, love its long leaves. However, if you want to grow catnip, it's best to choose cyperus alternifolius (Cyperus alternifolius). This is the smaller species sold commercially.
Our care tips
Watering
Papyrus likes its feet in water. Its root ball must always remain moist. Water before the soil dries on the surface, using water at room temperature. Preferably use rainwater.
To limit the risk of water stress, plant your Papyrus in a container with a water reserve. Don't have one? Place the pot on a saucer filled with water. This way, your plant will be able to drink by capillary action.
Misting
Spray the top and bottom of the foliage with non-calcareous water, ideally rainwater. As well as improving hygrometry, this misting combats mite attacks.
Repotting
In spring, transfer your Cyperus papyrus to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.
Get a deep, heavy pot. This way, your Papyrus will remain stable and won't topple over when its stems reach their final height. It's best to choose a pot with a water reserve, to limit water stress. If you don't have one, you can make do with a pierced pot.
Pour in a layer of potting soil for aquatic plants. Plant papyrus in the center. Fill in with substrate, tamp and water generously.
If you've used a pierced pot without a reservoir, place it on a saucer filled with water.
Fertilization
You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.
Apply a liquid fertilizer for green plants to stimulate growth.
Prune
To encourage the growth of your Papyrus, prune regularly.
Remove dry stems using a clean, sharp tool (pruning shears, scissors, etc.).
Planting
Once the last spring frosts have passed, you can plant.
To plant papyrus in a pond, use a perforated plastic basket. Line it with burlap to let the water through, but retain the soil. Place a layer of pozzolan or small pebbles at the bottom to hold the fabric in place.
Pour in potting soil for aquatic plants. Plant your subject in the center, then fill in with substrate. Pack and cover the surface with gravel or pozzolan. This will prevent fish from exploring the soil.
Choose a sunny spot, sheltered from the wind. Make a basket-sized hole 20 or 30 centimetres deep in your pond. Plant your Papyrus in its basket.
Taking cuttings
Propagation by cuttings is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
Dig up your Papyrus without damaging the roots. Using your spade or a suitable tool, cut the plant into at least two parts.
Repot your cutting into a self-watering tray or a pot with drainage holes. Use a deep container so the plant doesn't tip over.
Pour in a layer of aquatic plant substrate. Plant your cutting in the center. Add more substrate and pat it down. Water generously.
Papyrus They like to have their feet in the water. Fill the reservoir of your self-watering pot. If you've chosen a pot with drainage holes, place it in a saucer filled with water.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposure
- Sun
- Substrates
- Humus soilSandy soil
- Planting methods
- Open groundIn potsIn tubs
- Categories
- RhizomeHerbaceousAquatic
- Tags
- Cold-sensitiveThirsty
- Origin
- North Africa
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 10b (1.7°C ≤ T° < 4.4°C)
- Leaf color
- Dark green
- Flower color
- Brown
Discover plants from the same family
False papyrus
Cyperus alternifolius
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
