The genuine papyrus is suitable both for pond planting and for keeping as a houseplant. In its African homeland it grows up to 3 meters high, but it does not reach this height indoors.

Papyrus is a very distinctive houseplant

Which papyrus is suitable as a houseplant?

In addition to real papyrus, Cyprus grass is often sold as so-called "false papyrus". This is also suitable as a houseplant. However, false papyrus needs slightly different conditions for good growth. It tolerates slightly cooler temperatures, around 10 °C. However, some species do not tolerate waterlogging.

The ideal climate for papyrus

Papyrus likes it moist, after all it is a swamp plant. This applies to both the ground and the air. If your papyrus is in a well-heated living room, the air there is probably too dry for this plant. Above all, the dry heating air in winter is not particularly good for the papyrus. On the other hand, he feels very comfortable in a bright bathroom or in the kitchen.

How to care for your papyrus in the room

The papyrus reacts easily to drought with yellow leaves. You can prevent this by regularly spraying the plant with lukewarm, low-calcium water. Alternatively, you can place a container filled with water on the heater to increase the humidity. If the leaves have already discolored, you should react quickly, then the papyrus plant will recover.

Papyrus should be watered regularly to keep the root ball from drying out. During growth and also when flowering, papyrus requires quite a lot of nutrients. Give it some liquid fertilizer about every three to four weeks. If necessary, papyrus can also be propagated relatively easily. This is achieved either by dividing a large plant or by offshoots.

The essentials in brief:

  • choose a bright and warm location
  • ensure that the air humidity is sufficiently high
  • water regularly
  • fertilize during the growth and flowering phase
  • yellow leaves are a sign of excessive drought
  • easily propagated by division

tips

Your papyrus plant feels particularly comfortable in a bright room with high humidity. Naturally, bathrooms or kitchens are therefore ideal locations.

Category:

Herbs