Cyperus in the house - either on a window or in an aquarium. Papyrus papyrus, or papyrus Papyrus houseplant

Unfortunately, there are still few fans of home-grown cyperus. Outwardly, it is not as attractive as other indoor plants, because it cannot boast of lush greenery and blooms ineffectively. But in fact, this marsh grass has several advantages that are appreciated by a lot of plant growers. It is undemanding in terms of keeping conditions, unpretentious in care, and planting it in a home pond and propagating it “upside down” is truly a creative and exciting activity.

Ancient papyri were made from this herb.

The houseplant Cyperus (from the Latin Cyperus) is a genus of wild herbs, in nature it has the names sytnyag, sytnyag or sytovnik. There are more than five hundred species of sati, and most of them are found in subtropical areas, where they grow along water bodies. But even in our swampy areas, a direct relative of Cyperus lives - this is sedge, or reed.

Cyperus looks like dill, as it has similar umbrellas on tall stems, but people are more accustomed to calling it a miniature palm tree.

Cyperus is found mainly in Africa, where it grows up to three meters in height, representing a spreading bush of erect triangular stems with umbrella whorls at the end, consisting of leaves of different lengths and colors. It does not bloom very attractively, scattering brown inflorescences throughout the rosette.

This plant grows along the banks of reservoirs, and often right in them. Cyperus roots are not subject to rotting and feel great in water. Therefore, the plant is considered a marsh plant.

Few people know that, in addition to aesthetic pleasure, cyperus can provide healing benefits. The plant is credited with such qualities as normalizing blood pressure and sleep; in addition, it is said to have a positive effect on vision and generally create a favorable and harmonious atmosphere in everyday life and family.

Cyperus is unpretentious. He does not need a south window sill, he does not require direct lighting and is content with weak diffused rays. Thanks to this feature, Cyperus looks great in the back of the apartment, in a floor pot.

The only thing that a flower is really demanding about is soil moisture. You can safely flood the pot with cyperus until it becomes a “swamp”: the plant will respond to this with lush greenery.

Zumula, papyrus, parchment and other varieties of cyperus

Among the indoor species of Cyperus, there are several of the most famous:

Cyperus alternate-leaved, or umbelliferous. The most popular type. It reaches a height of one and a half meters, although there is a compact form about half a meter high. There is also a variegated version with leaves with white longitudinal stripes.
. The height of this species does not exceed 90 cm. It produces few stems, but produces many basal leaves. At the tops of the stems, the leaves grow up to 30 cm long and 1.5 cm wide.
. This three-meter-tall plant is native to Egypt and was used as a raw material for papyrus in ancient times.
. The dwarf Cyperus species does not grow above 30 cm and perfectly decorates small cozy rooms where it has nowhere to get lost.
Zumula. Externally, this species is compared to a fountain, and among house flowers it is known as “cyperus for cats,” since these animals really love to feast on its greenery.
Helfera. This is a unique variety of Cyperus because it feels equally at home on land and in water. Most often, Helfera can be found in aquariums, where the flower forms lush thickets . True, it is recommended to enrich the water in the container for Cyperus with carbon dioxide, so in such an environment it is grown only under the conditions of a proper aquatic herbalist.

Photo gallery: external differences between Cyperus varieties

Cyperus helfera is not large, grows well in an aquarium Spreading Cyperus prefers to grow wider Cyperus alternate-leaved - the most common species Zumula - a variety of Cyperus that cats love very much Cyperus papyrus can grow up to 3 meters in height Cyperus graceful - a compact plant for the home

Cyperus adapts to almost any type of lighting. The main thing is that its daylight hours are at least 16 hours.

In the warm season, the plant prefers to be in the fresh air, so it is recommended to periodically keep the plant in an open window or take it out onto the balcony or into the yard.

It is better to place the pot with cyperus in a deep tray, where you should constantly add water. This way you can regulate the level of air humidity in the flower’s habitat. If this is not possible, then a container with water is installed next to it. Many people simply spray Cyperus once a day in winter and a couple of times a week in summer, while watering it regularly. The plant should be sprayed with soft and settled water at room temperature.

Table: parameters for growing swamp grass

Options	Autumn winter	Spring Summer
Lighting	In short daylight conditions it feels good, but will not refuse additional illumination with a fluorescent lamp.	Can tolerate short-term direct rays, but prefers diffused light.
Temperature	The air temperature should not fall below 12 °C.	The average daily temperature should range between 17–23 °C.
Watering	Watering is reduced, but soil moisture is maintained constant.	Abundant daily watering.
Humidity	Do not keep near batteries and periodically irrigate the greens.	No need to spray. Enough watering and ventilation of the room.

How to transplant Cyperus or plant it in a home pond

Since Cyperus flowers do not provide aesthetic pleasure, and this plant does not need rest, it is replanted at a convenient time, regardless of the climatic phase, when the plant has outgrown its previous pot. However, the optimal time for transplantation is March.

Pot, soil composition and sand

turf land - two parts;
leaf soil or peat - one part;
gravel crumbs, or better yet very coarse river sand - one part.

Sand is added to make the soil loose and porous. You need the coarsest river sand, washed and scalded with boiling water.. The particle fraction is from 3 to 5 mm (almost small pebbles).

If you are considering purchased soil, then the one for melons or pumpkin crops is suitable, because such soils include peat additives.

You need to take a pot that is spacious and deep, since Cyperus likes to grow in a horizontal plane. Space is also needed for the earthen coma, with which Cyperus needs to be transplanted, so it is necessary to calculate the volume of the new “dwelling” taking into account these two conditions.

Landing

Procedure:

Features of care

Cyperus is an undemanding flower, and all it needs is moisture, balanced nutrition, attention and human warmth.

How to properly organize watering

Cyperus should be watered daily and periodically sprayed on the foliage. No wonder its name literally means “growing in water.” Cyperus does not need a period of rest and develops constantly, regardless of the changing seasons. It grows equally well in cool and warm conditions. Due to this constant development, the plant always needs additional nutrition.

What and how to feed

In spring and summer, once every 10 or 14 days, the flower should be fertilized with a mineral complex fertilizer or biofertilizer for indoor plants. The rest of the time, one feeding per 30 days is enough for Cyperus. When Cyperus is grown hydroponically, it is recommended to use special fertilizers for the aquatic substrate: mineral Flora Series or organic BioSevia.

Why problems arise and how to solve them

Despite its persistence and undemanding satiety, regular violations of growing conditions will not have the best effect on your cyperus.

Drying leaf tips and other signs of a weakened plant

Cyperus signals errors in care by deteriorating appearance:

The leaves turn yellow and dry. This happens if the air around the cyperus is dry. The plant should be watered, place the flower in a container with warm water and irrigate the leaf, and then maintain the necessary air humidity.
Leaves turn yellow and die. If Cyperus is gradually “going bald”, this means that he simply lacks warmth. In such cases, the dead greenery is removed and the plant is cared for as usual, raising the air temperature. Cyperus will recover on its own.
Leaves wither and growth slows down. These symptoms are characteristic of a flower that does not have enough light. Although Cyperus normally tolerates poor lighting, it still needs it, like any plant, for the process of photosynthesis. No photosynthesis - no life and development.

How to avoid mistakes:

Dry soil is unacceptable for cyperus, it has a detrimental effect on the root system, therefore, if it is not possible to moisten the soil in the pot every day, you should definitely keep the flower in a tray with water, allowing the plant to “get its feet wet.”
The foliage of the plant also needs irrigation. Since the flower is not afraid of being flooded, you can bathe it in the bathroom and do this every day, watering it from a shower or watering can. Only the water should not be cold, and in areas with hard tap water or with chemical impurities, cyperus should be irrigated only with settled liquid.

The flower should be fertilized no more often than once every 2 weeks, since the plant can also suffer from overfeeding.

It is not recommended to place the pot near a central heating radiator due to the risk of the soil drying out, but it should not be kept in a draft or near open windows during the cold period. Don't forget where this plant comes from: there is no winter in Africa.

Diseases and pests

Everyone knows that even when kept at home, indoor plants are attacked by pests or suddenly show signs of illness. In order to learn to understand this cry for help, it is necessary to “know by sight” such enemies as:

green aphid;
thrips;
mealybug.

Green aphids live and reproduce in colonies in warm weather. It feeds on the sap of plants, damaging them, the leaves curl and dry out. If aphids are detected in time, they can simply be washed off the flower and protect the plant from being treated with chemicals.

When the moment is missed and the pest has multiplied, it is worth using an insecticide, but first try to get rid of the insect using folk remedies: sprinkle with infusion of citrus peel, tobacco, red pepper or garlic with the addition of a drop of liquid soap. The stronger the infusion, the more effective the result.

Thrips are a common pest. It can be detected by black dots on the back of the sheet. It is dangerous in the adult and larval stages, exposing the plant to the formation of sooty fungus.

Good air humidity around Cyperus and sticky traps for flying insects will help to avoid thrips attacks, and Fitoverm is considered the most effective among safe preparations. After dissolving 2 ml of the product in a glass of water, you need to thoroughly spray the plant and put a plastic bag on it for a day. The mealybug is popularly called the hairy louse. Thrips often appear in the house along with a bouquet of flowers from the store

What methods of reproduction should be used?

Cyperus reproduces in three different ways: division, seeds and leaf rosettes, but papyrus, for example, only divides or throws out seeds.

Feed from seeds

This method is used during periods of long daylight hours and short nights, since young cyperus sprouts require a lot of light.

Procedure:

When propagated by seeds, many features of the variety may disappear, for example, variegation of leaves.

Rooting an umbrella rosette

In nature, the Cyperus umbrella independently bends towards the water and grows roots. Over time, the “parent” stem rots and an independent plant separates from the bush. In the same way, using an inverted rosette of an umbrella, you can root Cyperus “in a window sill”:

Video: rooting Cyperus umbrellas in the ground

Planting shoots during transplantation

When replanting a two-year-old bush, you can simply divide it by its roots into several parts, planting it in different pots. Cyperus is able to recover quickly, so you won’t have to monitor rooting in this case.

Papyrus is a perennial, herbaceous shrub that belongs to the sedge family. It is also popularly called “papyrus sedge”, “umbrella plant” and “paper reed”.

Papyrus translated from Egyptian means “gift of the river.” The mountains of Egypt are considered the birthplace of Papyrus. Under natural conditions it grows in Central Africa. Prefers swampy places. There are more than 500 species of this plant. In ancient times, they made paper from it and ate the roots. Grows in tropical and subtropical zones.

Papyrus is a tall plant, up to 5 meters high. Its stems are long, thin and triangular in shape. They are empty in the middle. The leaves are dark green, collected in a bunch. They are long, shaggy and hair-like. Papyrus blooms in August. Its fruits resemble ordinary nuts in appearance. The root system consists of many small roots and likes them to be in water.

Papyrus - care:

Lighting:

Papyrus grows and develops well in illuminated areas, although it does not tolerate direct sunlight. Likes to grow in partial shade.

Temperature:

The plant is not capricious to temperature conditions. If the plant is indoors, then in the summer this plant likes to be taken outside. In the summer, the ideal temperature for Papyrus is 20-25˚С, and in winter 15-17˚С.

Watering:

This plant is watered very abundantly. The soil of the plant should always be moist. It is recommended to place the pot in a pan of water in the summer. In winter, watering is reduced. On hot days, you need to spray the plant once every 3 days.

Humidity:

Feeding:

Papyrus will bloom well and for a long time only in moist and fertilized soil. When Papyrus blooms, it is fertilized once a month. Fertilize with special fertilizers, for example Kamira fertilizers. This fertilizer is fed from spring to autumn once every 2 weeks. Fertilize in small quantities. If kept in the cold, the plant is not fertilized at all.

Transfer:

A houseplant is replanted every three years. Transplantation is possible only in spring. When transplanting plants, they use nutritious soil, to which part of the leaf, humus and turf soil is added. It will also be beneficial for the plant if you add brick chips, sand and peat to the ground.

Reproduction:

This plant propagates by seeds, dividing the bush and cuttings. Seeds are sown in a warm and lighted place. The easiest way to propagate Papyrus is considered to be this: the umbrella is cut off, the leaves are trimmed to a length of 2 cm and placed in water with the top down and the stem up.

Some features:

Papyrus is a very unpretentious plant. When it grows, it needs plenty of water, plenty of indirect light and warmth. On hot days, I recommend aging the plant pot in a tray of water.

Papyrus – diseases and pests:

The biggest enemy of Papyrus, which is grown indoors, is the spider mite. The symptom is yellowed and dried leaves. It is recommended to treat with Actelik or Fufa-non. Papyrus can also infect aphids.

Papyrus - types:

There are types of Papyrus that grow well indoors: spreading, alternate-leaved and white-striped.

Cyperus, also known as roseworts, are perennial herbs of the sedge family. They come from the African continent, where they grow along various bodies of water and in swampy places. Caring for cyperus at home is not particularly difficult; even a novice gardener can cope with its cultivation without any problems.

According to popular beliefs, tsiperus not only decorates the home, but also has positive energy that protects the owner from troubles of various kinds. In Feng Shui, this flower is represented as a kind of guardian of the house.

This teaching attributes to him the ability to protect household members from lies, deception and bad intentions. Cyperus can also relieve depression and improve the mood of everyone around. This plant is recommended to be grown in families where they often swear, lie and like to gossip.

Cyperus will also help with sleep disorders. If you can’t sleep for a long time or don’t get enough sleep, then you should definitely place a flowerpot with this plant in your bedroom. It is also believed that this culture can develop a thirst for new knowledge and promote learning. Therefore, if children have problems with learning, cyperus can be placed in their room. From a biological point of view, Cyperus has the ability to purify the air from pollutants of various kinds.

Cyperus: cultivation and care (video)

Description of types and varieties of Cyperus

Cyperus is a perennial moisture-loving plant. It is characterized by straight herbaceous stems with close internodes and sessile linear leaves. Under natural conditions, it forms extensive thickets in swampy and damp places. In ancient times, various mats were woven from cyperus and boats were built, and essential oil was made from its roots. Its height in nature can be over 1.5 meters.

Gallery: Cyperus (25 photos)

Cyperus alternate leaf

Cyperus alternate-leaved, also known as swamp, is a large perennial crop with narrow leaves collected in whorls at the tops of the petioles. In indoor culture conditions, the height of adult plants does not exceed 1 meter. It is undemanding to temperature conditions, but it does require a high level of humidity.

Cyperus alternate leaf

Cyperus papyrus

Cyperus papyrus, also known as papyrus papyrus, is a perennial plant from the marshy areas of Egypt and Ethiopia. Under natural conditions, its height can be up to 3 meters. The stems are straight and very strong. They end in a lush rosette of long hanging leaves. The decorative qualities of the plant are very high.

Cyperus papyrus

Cyperus umbelliferum

Cyperus umbelliferum is a perennial plant native to Madagascar. Its height is 1.5-1.7 meters. Characterized by straight, slightly rounded stems and a dense umbrella-shaped crown. There is also a variegated form of this species with a white stripe on the leaves.

Cyperus umbelliferum

Cyperus spreading

Spreading Cyperus is a widespread tropical plant with few stems. Its average height does not exceed 1 meter. It differs from other species in having wider and longer basal leaves.

Cyperus spreading

Cyperus wrapped, graceful and white-striped

Cyperus wrapped- a perennial plant with bare stems about 1 meter high. The tops of the stems of this species are crowned with a thick cap of drooping leaves. Cyperus graceful- the shortest species with a height of no more than 30 cm. Cyperus white-striped - a species with wide white stripes on the leaf blades.

Among the species diversity of Cyperus, you can also find completely aquatic species. For example, Cyperus Helfera. At home, it is used as an aquarium plant to create a background.

Cyperus Helfera

Features of caring for cyperus at home

Cyperus is a very easy to grow and absolutely undemanding crop. The most important thing for this plant is constantly moist soil. . In summer, it is even recommended to place the pot with it in water up to half its height. The plant also really likes it if the flowerpot with it is placed on a constantly damp tray. In winter, it is enough to simply water the cyperus abundantly and often.

Lighting

Light intensity for Cyperus is not as important as the length of daylight hours. When short winter days arrive, it must be illuminated with fluorescent or special phyto lamps. P When choosing a place to place a plant, preference should be given to eastern or western orientation. Direct sunlight is harmful to sensitive Cyperus leaves.

Light intensity for Cyperus is not as important as the length of daylight hours

Priming

The soil for growing cyperus is made up of 3 parts turf soil, 1 part humus, 1 part leaf soil and 1 part clean river sand. If it is not possible to prepare an earthen mixture, you can use a mixture of ready-made soil for growing palm trees and sand, taken in a 1:1 ratio. The main requirement for the soil is a slightly acidic or neutral reaction.

Temperature

Cyperus does not have any special requirements for temperature conditions. The optimal temperature for growing it is +24-26°C. The plant can overwinter at lower temperatures, but it is necessary to reduce the intensity of watering.

Cyperus does not have any special requirements for temperature conditions

Top dressing

During the period of intensive growth, adult specimens Cyperus is fed once a month with complex mineral fertilizers for indoor plants. They should be diluted at half the recommended concentration. When choosing fertilizers for young, intensively developing plants, preference should be given to phosphorus-potassium complexes.

Transfer

Young cyperus need to be transplanted annually into larger containers. Mature, already formed flowers shift as they grow. Usually once every 2-3 years is enough.

With proper care, Cyperus produces a lot of leaves, and when spring comes, it blooms with small greenish flowers located on the top of the umbrellas.

How to transplant Cyperus (video)

The benefits and harms of Cyperus

When growing cyperus at home, you should definitely know about its beneficial and harmful properties. The main benefit of this plant is to effectively humidify the dry air of apartments with central heating. In addition, a well-developed adult specimen of Cyperus pleases the eye with its natural green color. Like all plants, this crop significantly improves the composition of the air. During respiration, Cyperus absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen.

No harmful properties were found in this plant. The only exception may be allergic reactions in people predisposed to this.

Like all plants, cyperus significantly improves the composition of the air

Reproduction of Cyperus at home

Cyperus can be propagated at home either by seed or by vegetative means.

Vegetative propagation

There are the following methods of vegetative propagation of this crop:

Dividing the bush. This method of propagation is only suitable for heavily grown specimens. Division is best combined with spring replanting. If the conditions are met, young plants begin to grow very quickly and usually turn into well-developed bushes by autumn.
Rooting rosettes. For this method, whole leaf rosettes are used, which are carefully cut off with part of the stem. The resulting planting material is planted in a loose and fertile substrate and covered with a plastic bag. This will create a greenhouse effect and speed up the rooting process. You can also use bottom heating for faster root formation. Rosettes can also be rooted in an aquatic environment. To do this, they are placed in a container with boiled water, at the bottom of which a piece of charcoal is placed. After the roots appear, the rosettes are planted in the soil.
Rooting apical cuttings. Cyperus cuttings are best done in the spring. Before planting, the leaves of the cuttings must be shortened by a third. They can be rooted both in soil and in water.

Cyperus is a herbaceous evergreen plant from the sedge family. It has many other names. It is often called Sytya, Papyrus, Sitovnik, Sedge alternate-leaved and even Venus grass. In the UK it is called the "umbrella plant" because its leaves resemble an open umbrella. With its spectacular appearance, Cyperus decorates many corners of homes and offices, clinics and kindergartens, workshops of industrial enterprises and shop windows. With the help of Cyperus, you can organize green thickets on your balcony or terrace, swaying in the wind. In addition, Cyperus is a very useful flower. It perfectly moisturizes dry air and is a natural “vacuum cleaner”. Next, we will talk in detail about caring for Cyperus at home, and also describe all the methods of propagating this flower.

The island of Madagascar and the tropical forests of Africa are considered the homeland of Cyperus. For its love of ponds and constantly moist soil, in Egyptian folklore the flower was called “gift of the river.” This plant is found both in America and in Eurasia along the banks of rivers, lakes and swamps in close proximity to water and in water, where it forms impenetrable thickets. Cyperus was brought to Europe in the 18th century, and it began to be grown indoors in the 80s of the last century. Sitovnik quickly gained popularity due to its unique elegant appearance (looks like a dill umbrella or a small grassy palm) and ease of care.

In our country, such relatives of Cyperus are known as Kamysh, Sedge and Sitnyag.

Description of the plant

In the wild, some species of Cyperus grow up to five meters, forming dense, impenetrable thickets (at home they are much more modest - from 50 to 100 cm.) The root of Papyrus is located on the surface of the soil. It is long and creeping. Sometimes, instead of a root, spindle-shaped processes grow, which perform the function of a root and extract nutrients from the soil. The type of root depends on the species diversity, this should be taken into account when selecting suitable soil for the plant. Cyperus species with short roots are suitable for indoor growing in a pot or flowerpot.

Papyrus has long, bright green, flowering stems. Over time, they age, become yellowish and die. Such stems should be cut off in time so that new ones begin to appear in their place. The tops of the stems end in rosettes of whorled thin leaves.

Linear leaves open in the form of umbrellas. They vary in length and are unevenly distributed. The result is a kind of sun rays that give the flower volume.

The color of the plant is heterogeneous. It ranges from dark green to light green. The leaves are even two-colored. Sometimes there are white and brown strokes.

Bloom

Cyperus is a flowering plant. Peduncles are triangular in shape. They are erect, but flexible, so they do not break under the pressure of the wind. Small, inconspicuous flowers of Cyperus are arranged singly or in a rosette. They are pale green, light brown or milky in color. Most often, flowering is observed in the summer, in June or July, but some varieties bloom throughout the summer until mid-autumn. After flowering, small fruits appear - nuts or spikelets of a brownish color. Pollination occurs due to wind - fine pollen is quickly carried by the wind to nearby plants.

Signs and superstitions

It is believed that Cyperus species with multi-level stems and umbrellas of leaves, similar to a waterfall, attract positive energy into the house, which keeps the owner and his family active and cheerful, and helps them overcome difficult problems. We recommend that those who have schoolchildren, students and scientists in their families get this flower. The energy of the flower will help them cope with educational and mental stress, and humidifying dry air and increasing the release of oxygen will make the brain more active.

Benefits of Cyperus

Cyperus Helfera in an aquarium

These moisture-loving plants are widely used to decorate aquariums, artificial waterfalls, and winter water gardens. In home spaces, it can decorate any green corner and give it a tropical look. Since Cyperus grows almost in water, it evaporates a lot of moisture, saturating the surrounding air with it, which has a beneficial effect on the plants adjacent to it and, in general, on the microclimate in the room.

It is interesting that from the stems of Cyperus Papyrus in Ancient Egypt they built papyrus boats, wove baskets and mats, made ropes and wove sandals. Papyrus was made by pressing the stems of the plant together. The first paper was also made from papyrus. Many ancient monoliths preserved parts of papyrus books. Now the Cyperus plant is listed in the Red Book as an endangered species.

The rhizome of the plant in South Africa is used as food - added to first and second courses, in salads, and in drinks.

Cyperus is also a medicinal plant. Decoctions from the leaves and stems of a living plant help with headaches and insomnia. Drinking on an empty stomach, this drink normalizes blood pressure and accelerates metabolic processes in the body. With its help you can restore your vision. The taste of the decoction is herbaceous, but without bitterness and with a pleasant aroma. If you add honey to it, the drink can treat stomach pain.

Cyperus leaves are to the taste of cats and parrots. They simply have an irresistible craving for this flower. By the way, it is not poisonous and does not harm pets. But they are very big for him. If you don’t keep track, the flower will be gnawed beyond recognition.

Due to its creeping and rapid growth, the flower is considered a weed in its homeland. When growing cultivated plants, it is weeded out like a weed.

Types and varieties of Cyperus

Cyperus is a large genus of about 600 plant species found throughout the world. But, only some of them are used in indoor floriculture. We will introduce you to the most popular indoor specimens of Cyperus.

Papyrus

Cyperus papyrus L.

Papyrus is common in the swamps of Egypt and Ethiopia. Reaches a height of three meters. The erect and strong stem of the flower ends in a dense whorl of long hanging leaves, from the axils of which multi-flowered inflorescences appear on thin stalks. In cultivation, due to its large size, it is grown in tubs and mainly in greenhouses.

Helfera

Cyperus Helfera has low stems, up to 0.5 m in height. It grows in water, so it is often grown in aquariums and paludariums (a transparent tank with an artificially created semi-aquatic habitat for keeping aquatic plants, including marsh and coastal plants). Outdoors it is used for landscaping decorative ponds. Loves a slightly acidic substrate with a pH of 5–6.5.

Zumula

Cyperus Zumula

This species is a bit similar to Cyperus helfera - the same tuft of grass blades growing straight from the damp ground and some palm-shaped leaves. But it grows in a pot. A very spectacular flower. Propagates well from seeds purchased in the store. But dangerous for pets.

Umbelliferous (Alternate-leaved)

Cyperus Umbrella or Alternate-leaved (C. alternifolius L.).

This is the most common type in indoor growing. It grows in nature on the island of Madagascar along the banks of swampy rivers and lakes. It grows up to 1.7 m in height. The stem is triangular, erect, with an umbrella crown of leaves at the top. The leaves are narrow, linear, drooping, resembling belts. Their length is about 25-30 cm. Flowers appear in the axils of the leaves, collected in small panicles. Easily propagated by dividing the bush, umbrellas and seeds.

There are garden varieties of Cyperus Umbrella:

Cyperus "Gracilis"– distinguished by its compactness and narrower leaves.

Cyperus "Variegatus"– has leaves and stems that are white or mottled with white stripes.

Spreading

Cyperus Spreading (C. diffusus Vahl.)- a smaller copy of a swamp palm. This species is the lowest of the Cyperus. Height is from 40 to 90 cm. The stems are few in number, but the plant has numerous basal long and wide leaves, due to which the bush looks lush. In the upper part the leaves are narrower, collected in umbrellas of 6-12 pieces. The flower is unpretentious in care, but requires constant high air humidity.

Caring for a plant at home

Growing Cyperus indoors is not difficult, and you can learn how to do it correctly. There would be a desire. We will help you with this.

Location and lighting

Cyperus does not like a lot of light. He prefers shady rooms, next to an artificial pond or aquarium. Then he will fill the room with freshness and cleanse it of dust. But it will not actively grow and bloom in complete darkness, but somewhere close to direct sunlight. If possible, take Cyperus outdoors for the summer. In winter it will decorate your home, and in summer it can decorate your garden. If it has a pond, even better. Near him, Cyperus will be in his usual environment. In this case, the flower pot can be placed directly in the water or buried in the ground not far from it.

In winter, the flower will lack natural light due to the short daylight hours, and you will have to provide additional, artificial lighting for it using a phytolamp or fluorescent lamp for up to 14 hours a day.

Spacious eastern or western window sills are well suited for flowers. On the south side of the apartment, the pot is placed away from the window so that the light is bright but diffused.

Cyperus loves fresh air and is not afraid of drafts. Ventilate the room, then you will see how its thin stems with thread-like umbrella leaves begin to move from the slightest breeze (an open vent, window, fan, air conditioner), captivating the eye with its unique lightness and unusual appearance.

Air temperature

A comfortable temperature for Cyperus in the summer is considered to be the usual room temperature of 20 - 25 degrees. If the thermometer creeps higher, ventilate the room more often, spray the flower and the air in the room. A good solution would be to take the flower pot out into the fresh air, otherwise the heat may negatively affect the appearance of the flower.

In winter, in the wild, Cyperuses tolerate a short-term drop in temperature to zero degrees, but at home it is better not to lower the temperature below 14 degrees. Keep this in mind when ventilating your room in winter. It is better to remove the pot away from drafts and do not leave windows and vents open for a long time.

Air humidity

Cyperus is quite demanding in high humidity not only of the soil, but also of the surrounding air. Humidity of 65 - 75% is considered normal for it. But many indoor flowers will not like such humidity, so carefully select neighbors on the windowsill for papyrus.

You can maintain high air humidity using a household humidifier, if you have one, or using a spray bottle, which should be sprayed regularly over the entire plant. Loves flowers and bathing in the shower. Water treatments wash away dust from the leaves and stems, and the plant immediately comes to life after them. All kinds of water vessels and aquariums also help maintain high humidity levels. In winter, when heating devices are operating in the rooms, place the flower pot away from them and spray them regularly. You will understand that the flower lacks moisture by its leaves, the tips of which will begin to dry out and turn black.

Watering

Cyperus is a very moisture-loving plant due to the fact that in nature it grows in swamps and along river banks. With a lack of watering, the leaves immediately turn yellow and dry out. To keep the soil in the pot moist, the flower should be watered every day. There is no need to be afraid that the root system may rot from waterlogging - the soil should always be moist. It’s the same in nature - tropical downpours moisten the soil, and the scorching sun evaporates excess moisture.

Root rot can occur if the room temperature is extremely low. Then, until you adjust the temperature, drain the excess water from the pan.

A constant level of soil moisture can be maintained using bottom watering through a tray, from where the plant’s root system will take the required amount of water. It’s even better if the pan is so deep that the water level in it reaches the middle of the pot.

Now many people are interested in how to water cyperus in winter. In winter, when the room temperature drops, the flower will drink less. Watering should be reduced and removed from the tray with water, but still make sure that the soil in the pot does not dry out.

For irrigation, use settled tap water at room temperature, but it is even better if you stock up on rain or melt water.

If you need to leave home for several days and you are afraid of drying out the flower, we recommend that you place the pot in a deep basin or bucket of water

Another trick will help the flower last a long time without regular watering. Add a little soaked hydrogel to the soil. It is made from polymers specifically to retain moisture. Several grains of hydrogel absorb up to 100 ml of water and swell. The roots of Cyperus, penetrating the gel, receive moisture from there. If you saturate the hydrogel with mineral fertilizers in a small dose, then you will not only have to water, but also feed the flower less often.

Sowweed thrives when grown hydroponically. Sometimes pure hydrogel is used for this. And some species of Cyperus (for example, Helfera) are simply grown in indoor aquariums.

Top dressing

Cyperus responds gratefully to feeding during the entire growing season - from early spring to autumn. Complex fertilizers should include nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus minerals. It is better to buy liquid fertilizers for decorative deciduous indoor flowers in special stores. Feed Cyperus two to three times a month. In winter, if the flower stands in bright light and continues to produce its umbrellas, do not stop fertilizing, only do it once a month and reduce the single dose by half, since an excess of fertilizers for the plant is just as harmful as a deficiency.

Fertilizer application rules:

follow the manufacturer’s dosage, as the formulations can be simple or concentrated;
for young bushes, reduce the dose by half;
Before adding the solution, water the soil well so as not to burn the roots;
to avoid burns, make sure that the solution does not get on the greens;
In spring, feed the flower with nitrogen-dominated fertilizers. They will accelerate the formation of green mass. Then apply fertilizers with potassium and phosphorus for the formation of inflorescences and lush flowering.

Transfer

Cyperus tolerates transplantation well, without compromising its growth, so it can be done at any time of the year. For example, an adult plant is replanted if the soil is completely depleted or when the pot has become too cramped. However, if you want the flower to become a real decoration of your home and not lose its decorative value for many years, do not allow extreme cases and replant the plant every year.

We recommend you should replant Cyperus in early spring or late autumn, during periods when plant growth stops. Before transplanting, try to ensure stable temperature and humidity, then the flower will avoid stress.

Remove the plant from the pot and lightly shake off the old soil. If you see damaged roots, cut them off with a sharp, clean knife. Dust the cuts with crushed charcoal. If it is possible to rid the rhizome of all the old soil, do it. Then place the bush in a new pot of suitable size - not too spacious and wide. Fill in the new soil carefully, without damaging the roots.

Young bushes are transplanted annually into slightly larger flowerpots.

Cyperus pot

Cyperus has rather long, vine-like roots, so a deep pot is suitable for it. If you have a powerful plant that quickly produces new shoots, then the width of the pot should be such that the root system of the flower not only fits there, but also develops well.

Pebbles or expanded clay with sand 3–4 cm high are placed on the bottom with drainage holes. Pieces of charcoal, brick chips and crushed eggshells can be added to the drainage.

Soil for Cyperus

Growing in swamps and river banks, Cyperus does not have any special requirements for the composition and nutritional value of the soil. A mixture of peat, turf and humus soil, sand in equal quantities with the addition of dry grass and, preferably, swamp or river silt to ensure good moisture and breathability would be suitable for it. Then the water will bubble around the root system.

You can pick up ready-made soil in the store, suitable for moisture-loving indoor plants, with a pH from 5 to 8.5. Sawdust or dried tea leaves are usually poured on top of the soil for good air exchange. However, if you use immersion of a flower pot in water when watering, it is better to sprinkle a small layer of river sand on top. This will prevent the soil from being washed away.

Rest period

If Cyperus grows in favorable conditions, where it is warm, light and has a lot of moisture, then it does not require a pronounced period of rest.

Reproduction of Cyperus

There are many ways to propagate Cyperus: by dividing the bush, tubers, cuttings, rosettes and using seeds. The choice depends on the growing conditions, your desire, and the ability to purchase seed material or shoots. We will consider all methods of reproduction in order.

Dividing the bush

During the next transplant of a bush that is at least two years old, it can be divided into parts. Each part must have at least three shoots. Use a sharp, preferably disinfected knife. Treat the cut areas with ash or crushed charcoal (activated) charcoal. Try not to let the earthen ball crumble too much.

The resulting bushes should be immediately planted in prepared pots using suitable soil. In the future, provide them with watering and other favorable conditions. There is no need to feed in the first month.

Reproduction using tubers

Rhizomatous tubers can also be divided during the next transplantation of an adult Cyperus and each part can be used to obtain new plants. To do this, simply dig them into separate pots.

When cutting the stems in spring, you can get excellent cuttings for producing new Cyperus bushes. To do this, cut off the top of the stem under the last whorl node. Cut the leaves to two-thirds of the length. Place the cuttings obtained in this way in a container with sand, leaves down. Place the container in a warm, well-lit place with diffused light. Water thoroughly. Even if the cuttings dry out over time, young shoots will probably appear from the soil. This means there are roots too. After a month, transplant the bush into a new small pot.

You can also root the cuttings in water. Just immerse it in a container of water with the leaves facing down. When sufficiently strong roots appear, the cuttings can be transplanted into the substrate.

When the new plant begins to grow, transplant it into nutrient soil. Select the pot according to size.

Leaf rosettes

When Cyperus grows strongly, you will see that another rosette has formed in the center of the leaf rosette. This rosette can be plucked off so as to grab a part (5 - 8 cm) of the stem, and placed upside down in a container with warm (about 24 degrees) sand to take root. The middle of the socket should be pressed against the sand with something. Over time, roots will appear at the point of contact. Be sure to water, the sand should always be wet. The roots will appear soon. Wait a little until they get stronger and transplant the shoot into the prepared substrate.

Sometimes the socket is not pinched off, but is done as follows. Deflect the selected stem with a rosette towards the soil, secure it at the growing point and cover it with moist soil. Separate the seedling from the mother plant after roots appear.

In the wild, the stems of Cyperus, bent by the wind towards the water, take root there. The stem of the mother plant dies over time, and the new young plant takes root and begins to live its own life. This method of reproduction is also applicable at home. The leafy apical rosette, without being separated from the mother bush, is tilted towards the water and germinated there. Roots appear quickly. After they grow a little, separate the rosette and transplant it into a prepared pot.

Growing from seeds

This is the most labor-intensive but effective way to propagate Cyperus. First treat seeds purchased or received as a gift with a weak solution of manganese. Dry. Prepare a container with a lid, fill it with a mixture of sand and peat, and moisten it. Place the seeds on the surface of the substrate without deepening them. Close the lid. Maintain a constant temperature in the greenhouse of at least 20 degrees. and high humidity. If necessary, ventilate and moisten with a fine spray bottle of warm water.

Choose a place for the container that is well lit, but not in the sun. If daylight is still short, turn on a fluorescent lamp in the evening to extend it. Wait until four to five true leaves appear, and only then start transplanting the seedlings into separate pots. Often such sprouts are planted in groups of 3. in one pot to make the bush more lush.

Cyperus diseases and other problems

Cyperus has a fairly strong immune system; the flower is resistant to various diseases and pests. Problems arise only when there are gross violations of the rules of care. Let's look at possible problems and ways to eliminate them.

The leaves became smaller and the color became lighter.

The plant does not have enough lighting. If this happens in winter, arrange lighting. To do this, use fluorescent, fluorescent and phyto lamps, but not heating lamps. If in the summer, find a place for the flower that is more illuminated by bright light, so that there is at least 12 hours of daylight.

Cyperus leaves turn yellow.

There may be several reasons:

If the flower does not have enough moisture and the air in the room is too dry, which literally burns the delicate leaves and tops of the flower, they will turn yellow or even brown. Adjust watering, let it be more frequent and abundant. Install additional humidifiers in the room. Place the flower away from heat sources. Place the pot in a pan of water so that the pot is half immersed in water - let the plant be saturated with moisture.
The nutritional value of the soil has been depleted. You haven’t transplanted the plant into a new substrate for a long time, you forgot about regular fertilizing during the growing season - so the soil has become unusable. Feed your pet or replant the flower in new soil.
The pot is too small. The roots completely filled its space in the pot, the plant became cramped. It is necessary to transplant Cyperus into a larger pot and replace the soil.

The bush or its individual parts, leaves, stems and inflorescences, began to fade.

The reason may be high ambient temperatures. It is necessary to regularly ventilate the room, monitor temperature and humidity readings. In the summer, take the plant out into the fresh air, closer to a pond, or at least onto a terrace, balcony, loggia, where a fresh breeze blows.

Cyperus has stopped growing or the rate of its development has slowed down.

The reason, again, is a lack of nutrients in the soil and a pot that is too small for the flower. Most likely, it's time to change them. After changing the pot and replacing the soil in it, active growth of the plant will resume and it will have the opportunity to flower.

The leaves of the flower are covered with gray spots.

It's similar to sunburn. If your flower is on the south side of the apartment in direct sunlight, then this is so. Place the pot further into the room, where the lighting is bright but slightly diffused. If this is not possible, cover the window with a light curtain or blinds.

Cyperus leaves have become soft and brown.

This happens under unfavorable growing conditions: low room temperature, musty water in trays, dry air and direct sunlight. Analyze and correct your situation. Compliance with the rules of Cyperus agricultural technology will allow you to avoid such incidents in the future.

The tips of the leaves dried out and turned brown.

Most likely, the air in the room is too dry. Spray the flower and the space around it twice a day, place the pot in a pan of water, turn on the humidifiers, and in winter, cover the heating radiators with wet towels. Do everything to increase the humidity in the room.

The stems turned yellow in winter and the leaves began to die.

It's too cold here. Cyperus does not withstand temperatures below 15 degrees. Move the pot to a warmer room. Remove damaged leaves and stems.

Massive drying of leaves.

This happens when the earthen clod dries out. You are not watering your moisture-loving flower well. Trim off any dead stems and leaves. Immerse the pot in a basin of water (settled, room temperature, you can add growth stimulants Epin or Zircon there).

In an adult plant, old leaves began to turn yellow and dry out.

This is a normal process characteristic of many plants. Cut off the yellow stems at the root and wait for young shoots to appear.

The roots are rotting.

This is possible at low temperatures (15 - 16 degrees), when the flower is also standing in a tray with cold water. Move Cyperus to a warmer place. Drain the water from the pan. Remove the bush from the pot and inspect the roots. If they are brown and soft, the flower cannot be saved. If there are light roots, remove the black and damaged ones and treat the sections with crushed coal or ash. Plant the flower in a new container with fresh substrate. Water the plant with water with the addition of the fungicide Fitosporin. We hope that the flower will recover from its illness, and that you, in future, do not violate the rules for keeping it at home.

Pests

Cyperus has well-developed protective functions, moreover, it grows almost in water, it is constantly sprayed, washed, washing off not only dust, but also uninvited guests from its leaves. But, like any indoor plant, if the rules of their maintenance are violated, Cyperus can be attacked by insect pests such as thrips, spider mites, whiteflies, scale insects, mealybugs, and aphids.

Conclusion

Cyperus is a very beautiful plant. It will not only decorate your home, but will also cleanse it of negative energy and will replace a household humidifier and air purifier. Papyrus hardly gets sick and lives a long time. The flower reproduces easily and is not difficult to care for. We hope that we have convinced you of the need to purchase and grow Cyperus in your home. It will not cause you much trouble and will bring you joy and pleasure.

Cyperus (lat. Cyperus), rosemary or “indoor papyrus”, “Venus grass” or “alternate sedge” refers to a large genus of perennial herbaceous plants of the Sedge family, including more than 600 species.

Under natural conditions it is found in the tropics and subtropics, in Africa. Cyperus is a moisture-loving plant, therefore, when growing indoors, you will need to create similar conditions.

Description

In nature you can find species reaching 3 m in height; low varieties are common in indoor floriculture.

On the triangular, erect stems of the plant there are whorls in the form of an umbrella. The long, thin leaves come in varying shades of green. Thanks to breeding work, variegated varieties are found in indoor floriculture.

Cyperus blooms with attractive flowers that peek out from the axils of the leaves.

Indoor cyperus – unpretentious, hardy plant, which is used to decorate poorly lit areas of the room.

Kinds

More than 600 species are known and only some of them can be grown indoors.

Cyperus graceful. Cyperus gracilis

This dwarf indoor flower grows up to 30 cm in height and can decorate small spaces.

Cyperus variegata. Cyperus variegatus

One of the varieties of alternate-leaved cyperus. The leaves are narrow, pointed, long, curved. Numerous stripes are scattered across the entire surface of the foliage.

Cyperus Papyrus. Cyperus papirus

Perennial. Under natural conditions, it can be found along the banks of swamps in Egypt and Ethiopia. The leaves are huge and hang beautifully from the whorls. The inflorescences consist of several flowers located in the axils of the leaves.

Cyperus spreading. Cyperus diffusus

A tall species, reaching a height of 90 cm. There are few stems, but there are a lot of leaves located in the root zone. The foliage is 1.5 cm wide and 30 cm long.

Cyperus alternate-leaved. Cyperus alfernifolius

The umbrella plant at home reaches 1.5 m in height. These include the common Pharaoh variety. However, there are dwarf varieties that do not exceed 35-40 cm.

At the top of the graceful stems there are whorls. The leaves are pointed, narrow, curved.

Cyperus Zumula

This plant is sometimes called “fountain” or “cyperus for cats”, which love to feast on it. Zumula loves soil and air moisture. Grows both in pots and in home ponds.

This species cannot exist without water. At home, you can grow it in an aquarium, decorating the rear view of the composition with it.

Growing and care

To get a beautiful plant with rich green foliage, you need to know the rules for growing cyperus at home.

Light

Under natural growing conditions, Cyperus basks in the direct rays of the sun all day.

In room conditions it is necessary to provide him diffuse lighting.

When growing on a southern windowsill during the daytime, it is necessary to shade the plant so that it does not get burned.

It is better to grow on windowsills on the east, north and west sides.

In winter, the plant needs additional lighting so that the daylight hours have a total duration of at least 8 hours.

Temperature

In winter, if it is not possible to provide additional light to the plant, you will need to reduce watering; in summer, watering should be plentiful.

Humidity

A moisture-loving umbrella plant needs high humidity, not lower than 70%. It is recommended to carry out water procedures from time to time, washing the foliage from dust and dirt, as well as spray the plant.

To maintain constant humidity, you need to place a container of water next to the pot, hang wet towels on the radiators in winter, or buy a decorative fountain.

Watering

Cyperus does not like wetlands, but will die in dry soil. To control the amount of moisture, it is recommended to water the plant in a tray.

Soil and fertilizing

Sitnik loves fertile soils. In spring it is necessary to apply complex mineral fertilizer. Subsequent fertilizing is carried out with the same fertilizers at intervals of once every 2 weeks, or once a month.

Attention! When preparing a nutrient solution, you will need to dilute the specified amount in water in a concentration 3 times less than what is written in the instructions.

During the winter you can only feed cyperus 1-2 times.

Transfer

Young plants are replanted annually, adult specimens - once every 2-3 years and as needed.

Cyperus is an unpretentious plant, so it can be replanted at any time of the year.

Despite the fact that the rush plant is moisture-loving, it is still worth adding drainage to the bottom of the pot.

Expanded clay should occupy ¼ of the growing container.

Since Cyperus has a shallow root system, the container should be wide, but not deep.

You need to replant in a nutritious soil mixture with a neutral reaction.

Methods for preparing soil at home

You need to take 1 part of high-moor peat, one part of humus and 1/6 of swamp silt.
Mix one part of leaf soil with one part of river sand, one part of peat and two parts of clay-turf soil.

Reproduction

At home, you can use several methods to propagate Cyperus:

seed propagation;
propagation by rosettes;
rhizome division.

Cyperus from seeds at home

The seed is planted in a soil mixture made up of sand and peat. After filling the container with substrate, the surface should be lightly compacted and sprayed with a spray bottle.

After distributing the seeds over the surface, the container is placed in a bag, creating greenhouse conditions for it.

From time to time you need to ventilate the plantings and moisten them with summer water. When small plants have 2 true leaves, you need to plant them in separate containers. For good growth you need place in a well-lit place and water as the earthen clod dries.

Propagation by leaf rosettes

Sometimes, young rosettes appear in the center of old “umbrellas”. They should be cut so as to capture part of the stem. Plant with the umbrella down and the stem up. Yes, just the opposite. Soon new young plants will appear.

Cuttings

You can root cuttings in water in the same way. When the umbrella itself is cut, part of the foliage is cut off so that the cutting can fit in the glass and does not take up excess energy. Roots appear very quickly and the plant can be transplanted into the soil.

Propagation by tubers

When the time comes to transplant adult specimens, you can divide the tubers and plant them in several pots. All manipulations are carried out only with clean tools, and the cut areas are sprinkled with crushed coal.

Possible problems

The main problem that gardeners face when growing cyperus at home is the curling and drying of the tips of the leaves.

To solve the problem, it is necessary to monitor soil moisture, since drying of foliage is associated with lack of moisture in the soil.

If there is not enough light, the foliage may fade and become smaller.

Pests

The most dangerous insects are the following: spider mites, thrips, mealybugs, whiteflies.

Symptoms of pest infestation:

when examining the edges of the leaves, punctures are clearly visible;
a white cobweb becomes noticeable in the internodes and under the leaf blade;
leaves become deformed and turn yellow;
the presence of sticky plaque and whitish spots on the leaves of the plant.

If insects are detected, it is recommended to treat the plants with folk remedies: a solution of laundry soap, infusion of alcohol. Treatment with chemicals is necessary only if folk remedies do not give a positive result.

Signs and superstitions

Popular beliefs say that the elegant umbrella plant is used not only to decorate rooms, but also gives positive energy. Cyperus protects household members from various troubles.