cyperus
( sy - PEER - us )
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At-A-Glance InformationThis genus of grass-like perennial plants can grown in sun or shade and need ample water to perform well. They are native to Africa and have solid, triangular green stems. These interesting plants have a pleasing form and silhouette and enjoy having their roots submerged in water. These plants are used worldwide to create many different edible, wearable, and home products. Use Cyperus plants to create a tropical, dramatic, or architectural effect around water features, bioswales, bog gardens, or containers.
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cyperus Species and Varietals
Cyperus is the type genus member of the plant family Cyperaceae and includes 700 species. The genus name is derived from the ancient Greek word kúperos, referring to plants in this genus. The best growing zones for Cyperus vary depending on the species grown. For more information, read the species descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Cyperus albostriatus (Cyperus diffusus) (Dwarf Umbrella Sedge, White Striped Flatsedge, Forest Star Sedge) Best in USDA hardiness zones 7b-11 or Sunset growing zones 14-24, this species is shorter than others and has broad, lush foliage. These plants are vigorous growers that are best planted in a contained space. This species is considered invasive in the southeastern United States. |
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Cyperus alternifolius (Umbrella Plant, Umbrella Sage, Umbrella Palm, Umbrella Papyrus, Dwarf Papyrus) Best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 8, 9, 12-24, H1 and H2, this plant has spreading leaves arranged like the arms of an umbrella (hence the common name, Umbrella Plant). These plants reach 2-4 feet tall, and perform well near bodies of water, in rock gardens, near pools, in pots or planters, or in dry streambeds. This species will self-sow, and can become a bit of a weed. Variety 'Gracilis', also known as 'Nanus', reaches just 1.5 feet tall. Cultivar 'Baby Tut' is a compact plant that can tolerate some dry soil conditions and can also be planted in regular garden soil. It reaches up to 18-24 inches tall and about half as wide. This species is highly invasive in Florida, the Pacific Islands, New Zealand, and tropical Asia. |
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Cyperus esculentus (Chufa, Tiger Nut, Atadwe, Yellow Nutsedge, Earth Almond, Pfende) This annual or perennial species has a worldwide distribution, and is commonly cultivated for its edible underground tuber roots. These roots are known as Earth Almonds or Tiger Nuts (due to the stripes on their tubers and their hard shell), and are eaten as a snack or mixed into Horchata (Orxata). Tubers can also be ground into a coffee substitute. This species is considered invasive in California, Colorado, Hawai'i, Oregon, Washington, parts of Europe, and Japan. |
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Cyperus papyrus (Papyrus, Papyrus Sedge, Paper Reed, Egyptian Paper Plant, Nile Grass, Giant Papyrus) This species is best in USDA hardiness zones 9-12 or Sunset growing zones 16, 17, 23, 24, H1 and H2 and forms a tall, graceful-looking 6-10 foot tall clump of stems topped with green, threadlike clusters. Grow these plants with their roots in water or in rich, very moist soil out of water. Unique addition to flower arrangements. Plants are used to create the writing medium Papyrus, and can also be used to weave into sleeping mats or sombreros. Cultivars include 'King Tut', to 4-6 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide, and 'Prince Tut', to 18-30 inches tall and 24-36 inches wide. This species is considered invasive in Florida, California, Louisiana, and Hawai'i, spreading via rhizomes to block waterways, clog wetlands, and displace native vegetation. |
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Cyperus prolifer (Cyperus isocladus) (Dwarf Papyrus, Miniature Papyrus, Dwarf Egyptian Papyrus Grass, Miniature Flatsedge) This species, best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 16, 17, 23, 24, H1 and H2, has thin leaves and flowers that combine to form brown and green clusters atop 1.5 foot tall stems. Great for Asian-style water gardens, planted in submerged pots. Cultivar 'Queen Tut' is one of the smallest Papyrus varieties, reaching 18-24 inches tall and half as wide. This species is native to eastern and southern Africa, and is considered invasive Florida, California, and Hawai'i. |
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Cyperus rotundus (Coco-Grass, Java Grass, Nut Grass, Purple Nut Sedge, Purple Nutsedge, Red Nut Sedge) This species is native to Africa, central and southern Europe, and southern Asia. These perennials reach up to 55 inches tall. These plants prefer somewhat dry conditions, but can be grown in moist soils. Tuber roots are a staple carbohydrate in tropical regions. This species is considered invasive in Southeast Asia, the southern United States, Australia, and various Pacific Islands. |
Caring for cyperus
Cyperus species are native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, and can be grown outdoors in similar conditions. These plants can be purchased as starts or grown from tuber roots. Soak roots in lukewarm water for 24 hours, and then plant them 3 inches under the soil surface. These plants prefer to be situated in a space in the garden that receives full sun; ideally, they should be getting between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for best growth, but can take partial shade in warm climates. Ensure that soil is rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.0 and 7.0 (acidic to neutral). The best substrate mix for Cyperus plants is a mix of two parts peat, one part loam, and one part sand. When grown in outdoor water features, many gardeners choose to place plants in a submerged container filled with this substrate mix. This will ensure the plant roots are in sufficient substrate for growth as well as discourage the plant from spreading. These plants do not need to be watered on a regular basis, though their water level should be monitored. They are aquatic plants, and leaf tips will become brown if roots become even slightly dried out. If Cyperus plants are situated in a space that is not consistently moist, they will need to be watered daily.
Cyperus plants do not need to be fertilized. To prune, simply remove any dead, damaged, diseased parts and remove spent flowering heads as they fade to clean them up. To discourage re-seeding, remove flowering heads when they form. If you will be collecting seeds for propagation or flowering heads for flower arrangements, make sure to leave some on plants to mature. Plants can be cut back to ground level in fall or early springtime in areas where the above-ground plant parts die back yearly due to cooler temperatures. These plants can become top-heavy; containers can be weighed down with stones to prevent plants from toppling over into the water. Cyperus plants are perennials in tropical zones, but are treated as annuals elsewhere, discarded at the end of the growing season and replaced in the next. They can alternatively be grown in pots in cooler zones and brought inside during the cooler months of the year. After a few years, divide plants to ensure ongoing health. For instructions on how to divide Cyperus plants, see the Propagation section below.
Caring for Cyperus in Containers
Cyperus plants can easily be grown in containers outdoors, which gives gardeners in cooler zones (below USDA zone 9) the option of growing them outdoors for a portion of the year. First, fill a nursery pot with a potting mix that is two parts peat, one part loam, and one part sand. Soak tubers for 24 hours and then plant them about 3 inches under the soil surface. Place the nursery pot within another, larger container that does not have drainage holes in the bottom and is water-retentive. Slowly fill the larger pot with water, and weigh down the nursery pot with rocks if necessary to keep it upright. Place the container in a space that receives full sun; ideally, they should be getting between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for best growth, but can take partial shade in warm climates. Prune as needed to remove dead, damaged, or browning plant parts and ensure that the water level stays above the top of the nursery pot at all times. Cyperus are aquatic plants, and leaf tips will become brown if roots become even slightly dried out. When cooler temperatures come around, move the container indoors to keep plants alive. Cyperus can also be treated as an annual, pulled at the end of each growing season and replaced in the next. After a few years, divide plants to ensure ongoing health. For instructions on how to divide Cyperus plants, see the Propagation section below.
Caring for Cyperus Indoors
Cyperus plants grown indoors reach about half of their potential size. They can grow well in terrariums, but can also be grown in pots. Choose a submergible nursery pot or similar container, and fill with a rich substrate. A mix of two parts peat, one part loam, and one part sand is ideal. Soak tubers for 24 hours and then plant them about 3 inches under the soil surface. Place the nursery pot within another, larger container that does not have drainage holes in the bottom and is water-retentive. Slowly fill the larger pot with water, and weigh down the nursery pot with rocks if necessary to keep it upright. Place the container in a space that receives bright light; a space next to a south-facing window is ideal. If light is not sufficient indoors, supplement with a grow light. Prune as needed to remove dead, damaged, or browning plant parts and ensure that the water level stays above the top of the nursery pot at all times. Cyperus are aquatic plants, and leaf tips will become brown if roots become even slightly dried out. After a few years, divide plants to ensure ongoing health. For instructions on how to divide Cyperus plants, see the Propagation section below.
Harvesting Cyperus
The species most commonly cultivated for their edible underground tuber roots are Cyperus esculentus and Cyperus rotundus. Tubers are edible raw or cooked, and have a slightly sweet, nutty flavor (those of Cyperus rotundus can be a bit bitter as well). The tubers are called Tiger Nuts or Earth Almonds, and are commonly dried, roasted, baked, or made into a milk-like beverage (Horchata or Orxata). Tubers are typically harvested in late autumn (October-December) when foliage turns yellow and dies back, which is about 100-120 days after planting. Remove the growing container from under the water, and using a fork or trowel, loosen the soil around the base of the plant. Pull the plant up, and then sift through the soil to collect the small, nut-like tubers. Rinse tubers to remove dirt and debris. They can be used raw or dried. To dry them, leave tubers in a cool area with good ventilation for a few weeks. Tiger Nuts lose a considerable amount of water during drying and storage, and are commonly rehydrated by soaking overnight before use. Tiger Nuts can be stored dehydrated for up to two years if kept in a cool, dark, dry place in airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags.
Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.
Cyperus plants are also cultivated for their interesting flowering and seed heads, which are added to fresh flower arrangements for a wispy but dramatic firework-type aspect. They have durable, moisture-loving stems and add volume, texture, and a modern feel to arrangements. Cyperus plants are in flower generally from summer through fall (July to October). They are harvested when the green 'umbrella' bracts are fully developed but before they turn brown or dry out. The best time of day to harvest is in the morning, after dew has dried but before the heat of the day sets in. Using clean, sharp shears, cut stems near the base and immediately drop them in a bucket of cool water to prevent wilting. Keep cut stems in a cool environment to maintain quality. Cyperus typically lasts for between 21 and 28 days in a vase.
Cyperus plants do not need to be fertilized. To prune, simply remove any dead, damaged, diseased parts and remove spent flowering heads as they fade to clean them up. To discourage re-seeding, remove flowering heads when they form. If you will be collecting seeds for propagation or flowering heads for flower arrangements, make sure to leave some on plants to mature. Plants can be cut back to ground level in fall or early springtime in areas where the above-ground plant parts die back yearly due to cooler temperatures. These plants can become top-heavy; containers can be weighed down with stones to prevent plants from toppling over into the water. Cyperus plants are perennials in tropical zones, but are treated as annuals elsewhere, discarded at the end of the growing season and replaced in the next. They can alternatively be grown in pots in cooler zones and brought inside during the cooler months of the year. After a few years, divide plants to ensure ongoing health. For instructions on how to divide Cyperus plants, see the Propagation section below.
Caring for Cyperus in Containers
Cyperus plants can easily be grown in containers outdoors, which gives gardeners in cooler zones (below USDA zone 9) the option of growing them outdoors for a portion of the year. First, fill a nursery pot with a potting mix that is two parts peat, one part loam, and one part sand. Soak tubers for 24 hours and then plant them about 3 inches under the soil surface. Place the nursery pot within another, larger container that does not have drainage holes in the bottom and is water-retentive. Slowly fill the larger pot with water, and weigh down the nursery pot with rocks if necessary to keep it upright. Place the container in a space that receives full sun; ideally, they should be getting between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for best growth, but can take partial shade in warm climates. Prune as needed to remove dead, damaged, or browning plant parts and ensure that the water level stays above the top of the nursery pot at all times. Cyperus are aquatic plants, and leaf tips will become brown if roots become even slightly dried out. When cooler temperatures come around, move the container indoors to keep plants alive. Cyperus can also be treated as an annual, pulled at the end of each growing season and replaced in the next. After a few years, divide plants to ensure ongoing health. For instructions on how to divide Cyperus plants, see the Propagation section below.
Caring for Cyperus Indoors
Cyperus plants grown indoors reach about half of their potential size. They can grow well in terrariums, but can also be grown in pots. Choose a submergible nursery pot or similar container, and fill with a rich substrate. A mix of two parts peat, one part loam, and one part sand is ideal. Soak tubers for 24 hours and then plant them about 3 inches under the soil surface. Place the nursery pot within another, larger container that does not have drainage holes in the bottom and is water-retentive. Slowly fill the larger pot with water, and weigh down the nursery pot with rocks if necessary to keep it upright. Place the container in a space that receives bright light; a space next to a south-facing window is ideal. If light is not sufficient indoors, supplement with a grow light. Prune as needed to remove dead, damaged, or browning plant parts and ensure that the water level stays above the top of the nursery pot at all times. Cyperus are aquatic plants, and leaf tips will become brown if roots become even slightly dried out. After a few years, divide plants to ensure ongoing health. For instructions on how to divide Cyperus plants, see the Propagation section below.
Harvesting Cyperus
The species most commonly cultivated for their edible underground tuber roots are Cyperus esculentus and Cyperus rotundus. Tubers are edible raw or cooked, and have a slightly sweet, nutty flavor (those of Cyperus rotundus can be a bit bitter as well). The tubers are called Tiger Nuts or Earth Almonds, and are commonly dried, roasted, baked, or made into a milk-like beverage (Horchata or Orxata). Tubers are typically harvested in late autumn (October-December) when foliage turns yellow and dies back, which is about 100-120 days after planting. Remove the growing container from under the water, and using a fork or trowel, loosen the soil around the base of the plant. Pull the plant up, and then sift through the soil to collect the small, nut-like tubers. Rinse tubers to remove dirt and debris. They can be used raw or dried. To dry them, leave tubers in a cool area with good ventilation for a few weeks. Tiger Nuts lose a considerable amount of water during drying and storage, and are commonly rehydrated by soaking overnight before use. Tiger Nuts can be stored dehydrated for up to two years if kept in a cool, dark, dry place in airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags.
Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.
Cyperus plants are also cultivated for their interesting flowering and seed heads, which are added to fresh flower arrangements for a wispy but dramatic firework-type aspect. They have durable, moisture-loving stems and add volume, texture, and a modern feel to arrangements. Cyperus plants are in flower generally from summer through fall (July to October). They are harvested when the green 'umbrella' bracts are fully developed but before they turn brown or dry out. The best time of day to harvest is in the morning, after dew has dried but before the heat of the day sets in. Using clean, sharp shears, cut stems near the base and immediately drop them in a bucket of cool water to prevent wilting. Keep cut stems in a cool environment to maintain quality. Cyperus typically lasts for between 21 and 28 days in a vase.
Propagation
Cyperus plants are best propagated by division, though they can also be grown from seed. For instructions on how to propagate Papyrus, see below:
Propagating Cyperus by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, and fresh soil (two parts peat, one part loam, and one part sand is ideal). Division is best done in very early spring, and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Cyperus by Seed
Propagating Cyperus by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, and fresh soil (two parts peat, one part loam, and one part sand is ideal). Division is best done in very early spring, and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
- Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the tuber(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
- Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
- Resume regular care.
Propagating Cyperus by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a container, a pot or tray, potting medium, and a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for Papyrus seed germination is a light blend of two parts peat, one part loam, and one part sand.
- Harvest your seeds. Papyrus seeds are mature in fall, and form at the tips of flowering stems. Cut the flowering heads off of plants to avoid dropping seeds outdoors.
- Get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch under the soil surface. Cover them lightly with soil and water with a spray bottle. Place the sown seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-4 weeks from sowing.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet. Keep your seedling in an area with bright light and temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays wet until the following spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when the seedling can be hardened off and then planted outdoors or indoors.
Problems and Pests
Many Cyperus species are considered in certain regions of the world. See species descriptions above for more information, and check with local authorities before planting. Cyperus plants can be susceptible to issues with the following pests and diseases:
- Spider Mites
- Mealybugs
- Scale Insects
- Aphids
- Root Rot
- Fungal Leaf Spot
Gallery
Tiger Nuts are the underground edible tuber roots of Cyperus plants.
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Cyperus can be grown in the ground or in containers, and also make great indoor or terrarium plants.
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Fibers from these plants are used to make a variety of products such as paper, mats, and clothing.
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Videos
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Learn about these interesting ornamentals.
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Learn why you should grow one of these plants in your water garden.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 277, Cyperus
