This plant is a vigorous grower in or out of water but is generally shorter when soil is not moist. Plant it up to 12 inches deep in water or in rich moist soil in full to part sun and protect from wind. It is hardy to about 20-25 degrees F.

Cyperus papyrus is native to the Mediterranean basin and further south into much of Africa where it inhabits swamps, shallow lakes and stream banks. It also occurs on the island on Sicily and in Palestine but is nearly absent in Nile River marshes where it flourished in ancient times. In this region it was renowned for its use as the material to make into paper, parts were eaten, and the buoyant stems made into boats. Other common names include Paper Reed, Indian matting Plant and Nile Grass. The name for the genus comes from the historical Greek name for Sweet Galingale, Cyperus longus. The specific epithet is a reference to its common name. As an ornamental plant, it is the tallest and most striking of the Cyperus. We have grown this plant at San Marcos Growers since 1983 and also grew a slightly smaller form of the species which we called Cyperus papyrus 'Little Egypt' and a dwarf form called Cyperus papyrus Dwarf form. 

The information displayed on this page about Cyperus papyrus is based on the research we conducted about it in our nursery horticultural library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include some of our own observations made about this plant as it grows in the nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we have received from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information that will aid others to better grow it.