How to Grow and Care for Papyrus Plants

The papyrus plant is native to the marshy borders of the Nile River in Egypt. It is a tall, stately plant, growing up to eight feet in height. The triangular stem grows out of a clump; under the stem lies a thick mass of rhizomes by which the plant spreads. Atop the stem, the plant grows an umbel that is showy but the greenish-brown flowers are inconspicuous. Papyrus is primarily valued as a foliage plant.

The plant, which is part of the sedge family, is classified as a perennial but can be grown as an annual plant in cooler climates. It is a fast grower that should be planted in the spring after
the danger of frost has passed.

Papyrus Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing a papyrus:

• Pick a location in full sun or partial shade in hot climates.
• Plant it in fertile soil with naturally consistent moisture. Give it supplemental water if needed.
• Below USDA zone 9, bring potted papyrus plants indoors for the winter.
• If growing it as a perennial, cut the plant back to the ground level in the fall or early spring.

Light

These plants prefer full sun but will tolerate part shade, especially in very hot climates.

Soil

The soil needs to be fertile. Amend nutrient-poor soil with compost or other organic matter before planting. In terms of soil acidity, papyrus is adaptable; it grows at a pH between 6.0 and 8.0. However, papyrus grows only in wet, boggy soil such as swampy areas, around landscape ponds, and rain gardens that receive constant moisture. If the soil is not naturally wet, be prepared to water regularly.

Water

Papyrus is a marginal aquatic plant that grows in shallow bodies of water. It is not a deep-water plant and does not grow fully immersed in water. When planting papyrus in a body of water, make sure to only submerge its root ball, not its crown. The best way to get the water level right is to plant papyrus in containers. Elevate the containers by placing them on sturdy bases so that the crown of the plant is above the water level, not submerged in water. A tall papyrus tends to become top-heavy, so consider weighing down the container with stones to prevent it from toppling over into the water.

In any location that is not consistently moist, you will need to water papyrus daily.

Temperature and Humidity

Papyrus is a plant indigenous to northern Africa, thus, it will survive as a hardy perennial in North America only in USDA hardiness zone 9 and above. In cooler climates, papyrus is typically grown as a potted plant that is overwintered indoors or as an annual that is discarded at the end of the growing season.

Fertilizer

If planted in rich, fertile soil, papyrus plants usually do not require any fertilizer.

Types of Papyrus

There are different types of papyrus available, some of them belonging to different but related Cyperus species: 

• Cyperus papyrus ‘King Tut’ is a classic tall papyrus. It grows 4 to 6 feet tall and spreads 3 to 4 feet.
• Cyperus papyrus ‘Prince Tut’ is a smaller, compact variety that grows 18 to 30 inches tall and 24 to 36 inches wide.
• Cyperus papyrus ‘Nanus’ is a dwarf papyrus with thin, dark green stalks that typically grows 18 to 24 inches tall and 12 to 14 inches wide.
• Cyperus involucratus ‘Baby Tut’ is a short, mounded variety growing 18 - 24 Inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide. Unlike other papyrus, it tolerates some dry soil conditions and can also be planted in regular garden soil.
• Cyperus prolifer ‘Queen Tut’ is one of the smallest papyrus varieties. It grows 18 to 24 inches high and spreads 12 to 18 inches.

Pruning Papyrus

In zones where papyrus is a perennial, cut back papyrus foliage to the ground level in the fall or early spring. If grown as an annual, pull out the entire plant and discard it in the fall.
Even if your papyrus receives adequate water, some foliage may turn brown. Don’t assume that you've lost a specimen just because it looks dead. Trim the stems down to a couple of inches and make sure it has plenty of water. Within three weeks, new, green shoots should emerge.

Propagating Papyrus

In areas where papyrus is winter-hardy, dividing the plant in early spring keeps it vigorous and propagates it at the same time. Here's how to do it:

1. Dig up the entire plant, being careful not to damage any roots.
2. Trim away the older, less healthy rhizomes and remove all vegetation that has turned brown. Use your hands to gently pull apart the roots to separate them into smaller sections. Make sure each section has a good amount of healthy-looking rhizomes on it.
3. Plant the divisions in a suitable location at the same depth as the original plant. Water it well.

How to Grow Papyrus From Seed

Papyrus can also be grown from seed although this should be done in pots; direct sowing is not recommended. 

1. Start seeds in 4-inch pots or seed starting trays indoors 10 to 12 weeks before the average last frost date in your area. In warmer climates, start seeds in pots when outdoor temperatures remain consistently above 68 degrees F. 
2. Gently press the seeds into the soil surface. Do not cover them as they need light to germinate. 
3. Keep the seeds evenly moist and in a warm environment and provide them with plenty of light in a south- or west-facing window or place them under grow lights. Seeds won’t germinate if the temperature is below 65 degrees F. The optimal germination temperature is 70 to 75 degrees F. Germination takes 15 to 30 days. 
4. Transplant them outdoors after the last frost has passed. Harden them off before planting. Plant the seedlings 10 to 16 inches apart. 

Potting and Repotting Papyrus

Papyrus grows well in containers as long as you provide constant watering. Use a container with large drainage holes and fill it with rich potting mix. Ideally, the container should be placed with their bottoms sitting in a shallow water source where they draw water on their own. Otherwise, you will need to water the plant daily.

Repotting is only necessary if papyrus is grown as a perennial and when it outgrows its pot. Choose a pot that is one size larger and fill it with fresh potting mix. Or divide the plant into two or more sections and replant them each in a pot of suitable size.

Overwintering

If the winter temperatures in your location drop below 40 degrees F (which is possible in USDA Zones 9 and 10), you will need to bring your papyrus indoors. This requires a warm spot with full sun, ideally a heated greenhouse or sunroom, a setup that might be challenging to provide. If you don’t have a good place to overwinter the plant, you might find it easier to replace the plants yearly.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Papyrus plants have no serious common pests and diseases, although they can be affected by rust fungus. This type of fungus appears as spots and discoloration on the leaves and stems of the plant.