Papyrus’ texture works well with practically anything—the big, bold texture of canna, the fine, delicate look of parrot’s feather, or dramatic lotus. It’s also stunning when planted by itself in a single large pot.
Papyrus Care
Papyrus is delightfully versatile. You can plant it in standing water and allow it to rise majestically from pools and ponds. Or you can plant it in wet soil, either at the edge of a water garden or someplace that stays consistently moist, such as beneath a leaky spigot. Papyrus does best with afternoon shade and morning sun, but tolerates full, all-day sun as long as it’s never allowed to dry out. It typically doesn’t require fertilizing to do well, but if you grow papyrus in a container by itself or a similarly closed ecosystem, it will benefit from a water-garden fertilizer. Look for one at your local garden center and follow directions carefully. Papyrus is a tender plant usually treated as an annual in Northern regions, but it can be grown as a houseplant or overwintered indoors if you have a bright spot. Simply bring it inside before frost and keep it moist or wet until you can move it back outdoors in spring.
New Innovations
Though papyrus has been grown for thousands of years, there aren’t many varieties available or new innovations.
Types of Papyrus
Dwarf papyrus
This is a quick-growing yet compact variety that sends up fine-textured leaf tufts in brown and green. It grows to 3 feet tall. Zones 9-11
Papyrus
Cyperus papyrus is famed for being the original source of paper. This easy-growing plant grows 6 feet tall and adds a tropical feel to the water garden. Zones 10-11
