Papyrus

Description

The long, slender stems, topped by a light tuft of linear leaves, give these plants a particularly elegant habit.

Cultivation

Outdoors, papyrus plants prefer half-shade, and indoors they should be kept out of direct sunlight. They love high temperatures, above 20°, and fear the cold. Papyrus likes a small pot, whose universal potting soil must always be kept soaked with water. It is not enough for the soil to be moist: the pot must be immersed by a few centimetres in a container full of water. If the leaves dry out they should be cut off at the base; even when the plants are suffering generally, a vigorous pruning can restore vigour to the clumps.

Propagation

Papyrus is easily propagated either by dividing the clumps or by leaf cuttings (with a small portion of stem attached) rooted in water.