Light:

Full sun (a south exposure). 

Cyperus papyrus - During the winter it will tolerate lower light levels as long as the temperatures are cool.  Under low light and warm temperatures the stems will become weak and fall over.

Cyperus isocladus - During the winter they need high light or the stems will become weak and fall over.

Temperature:

As a potted plant, maintain indoor temperatures above 40°.

Humidity:

Preferably 50% or higher; however, they will tolerate low levels for short periods with no harm.

Watering:

Keep them evenly moist or even sitting in water.  They don’t need constant moisture and can tolerate some dryness but care needs to be given not to put them into severe drought stress.

Fertilizer:

Feed regularly during their active growing season.  Under high light they are heavy feeders.

Pruning:

Prune off any unsightly stems or those that have gone by.  They can be divided at anytime to reduce the size of the plant or to propagate them.

Insects and Disease:

Little or no problems with insects or disease.

Comments:

Cyperus papyrus is a fast growing plant that can be used in water gardens, potted containers or in the summer garden planted directly into the garden beds.  Be sure to give them abundant water, sun and fertilizer during the growing season.

Cyperus papyrus - Plants can be grown from seed collected form the tufts at the end of the growing season and started in January for the next year’s growth.  Or they can be brought indoors during the winter and kept in full sun where they will continue to grow.  If kept during the winter months in low light be sure to keep cool with night temperatures in the 40’s and 50’s.