Papyrus is quite easy to propagate. If dividing is not an option for you, you may be able to grow your new young plants from offshoots. In addition to a healthy starting plant, you then need a little patience.
To gain offshoots, the crown is cut off
How do I cut offshoots?
The propagation of real papyrus by offshoots is quite difficult, but with "false papyrus", i.e. other varieties of Cyprus grass, it is very easy. Cut the stalks about 5 cm below the petals. The best time to grow offshoots is summer. You can also try this type of propagation with real papyrus, but with a low chance of success.
Trim the bracts a little, then place the leaflets about 2 cm deep in the growing substrate or a mixture of peat and sand. Alternatively, you can also pull the cuttings in a container with water. After successful rooting, plant the offshoots in flower pots.
How else can I propagate papyrus?
You can easily propagate both genuine and false papyrus by dividing the root ball. To do this, dig up the root ball or use the planned transplant to divide your papyrus. Using a sharp knife, cut off one or more sections of the root ball. Make sure that all separated bale parts each have at least one stalk, better several.
Now comes the planting. Use regular potting soil, enriched with a little well-rotted compost. Place the root ball pieces in different pots and water them all well. The soil should be kept particularly well moist in the near future. As a swamp plant, papyrus, which is not hardy, is always quite thirsty and somewhat sensitive to drought.
The essentials in brief:
- Real papyrus is hard to grow from scions
- alternative propagation: division
- Cyprus grass is easy to grow from cuttings
- It is best to cut offshoots in summer
tips
If you would like to propagate your real papyrus, try dividing the root ball and you have a good chance of growing new, vigorous plants.