How to Care for a Papyrus Plant

Reviewed by Ben Barkan

Last Updated: January 30, 2024 Approved

Papyrus plant belong to the genus Cyperus. This tall, robust, leafless aquatic plant can grow 4 to 5 m (13 to 16 ft) high. It forms a grass-like clump of triangular green stems that rise up from thick, woody rhizomes. The stems are rigid and triangular and have white pith inside. The pith is the source of papyrus paper.

Papyrus plants were one of the most important plants in ancient civilized Egypt and used for paper, woven goods, food and fragrance.

Steps

Download Article

Know that papyrus grass is considered a sedge and prefers moist, warm environments and hence suitable for water gardens and bogs. You can grow papyrus from seed or division. In most zones, Papyrus is an annual or half- hardy perennial.^{[1]
X
Research source}
Papyrus is usually planted by rhizomes in moist, fertile soil in pots and then submerged in an aquatic environment, or it can be planted directly into 3 feet (0.9 m) of muddy soil to hold the heavy stems upright.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
Papyrus plant is suitable for United States Department of Agriculture zones 9 to 11. Mulching in zone 8 can help protect the roots but the foliage will mostly die in winter.
Papyrus grass needs full exposure to sun for growth but can also be raised in partial shade. They also need to be sheltered from strong winds and for best effect they should be allowed to form a large colony. Papyrus can tolerate annual temperatures of 20 °C (68 °F) to 30 °C (86 °F)^{[3]
X
Research source}
Treat papyrus with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half, every month in spring. Use the fertilizer during the time of watering to avoid fertilizer burn.
Dig out the roots of the plant and remove the excess soil. If the plant was grown in a water garden pull the pot out from water and allow it to drain. After it drains, remove the plant from the pot and trim the roots. Cut the rhizomes which are discolored or damaged.
You can cut the papyrus rhizomes into groups of two or three. Then repot the divisions and grow them as individual plants.^{[4]
X
Research source}
Papyrus has no frost tolerance and should be moved indoors for the winter. Supply artificial light if you can't give an indoor papyrus plant enough sun during the winter.
In the winter in Zone 8A and 8B it will totally die down, but if it is in a protected place, such as near the house, it always returns in the spring. It can also be rooted in water.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

I have a plant but need to keep it indoors. It has little white insects on the stems and foliage. How can I eradicate these insects?

Community Answer

Spritz with a solution of dish washing detergent and water. They'll die. Don't over-wet the plant. Keep an eye on it to make sure all the insects die. Re-treat as necessary.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 12
Question

Why is my papyrus drooping over?

Community Answer

I have used tomato cages to keep the plants upright when this happens. Make sure they are getting ample water.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 31
Question

Where are zones seven and eight in the United States?

Community Answer

California, southern tip of Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, southern Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and southeastern North Carolina.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 12

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Pruning can be done to remove broken stems.

Thanks
Helpful 22 Not Helpful 3
Papyrus plants grow well in any good potting mix. You can pot them in any larger containers.

Thanks
Helpful 14 Not Helpful 4
Papyrus grow really fast when planted in spring.

Thanks
Helpful 9 Not Helpful 10

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

The plant needs to be kept moist.

Thanks
Helpful 20 Not Helpful 5
Papyrus seeds do not germinate easily and can take a month or more to sprout.

Thanks
Helpful 12 Not Helpful 3
Papyrus plants cannot survive winters with freezing temperatures. Hence they must be taken indoors during winter and supply artificial light if exposure to sun is not possible.

Thanks
Helpful 17 Not Helpful 7