Papyrus Cyperus papyrus
Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) is an evergreen perennial grass in the Cyperaceae family, native to Tropical Africa and the Nile valley (swamps and lake margins). It grows 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) tall and 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
Plan Papyrus in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Papyrus at a glance
| Type | Perennial grass, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cyperaceae |
| Mature height | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 13–26 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Yes: pith (historically) |
| Native to | Tropical Africa and the Nile valley (swamps and lake margins) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇪🇬 Egypt |
Is Papyrus toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Papyrus
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
See Papyrus in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (6 plants)
- Singapore Botanic Gardens (6 plants)
- Gardens by the Bay (10 plants)
- Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden (8 plants)
- Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (6 plants)
- Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (8 plants)
- Na ʻĀina Kai Botanical Gardens (6 plants)
Questions about Papyrus
- How far apart should I plant Papyrus?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft).
- Does Papyrus need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Papyrus need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Papyrus?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Papyrus flower?
- From about June for 13–26 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Papyrus poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Papyrus?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Papyrus. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
Notes and assumptions
- Marginal: grows in up to ~0.9 m of water or wet soil at the pond edge; tall triangular stems topped by umbrella heads of fine rays.
- Tropical: in cool climates it is grown as an annual or overwintered in a heated pool (as in glasshouse lily ponds).
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Chinese water chestnut (mǎtí) Eleocharis dulcis
- Tiger nut (chufa, earth almond) Cyperus esculentus
- Pennsylvania sedge Carex pensylvanica
- Fountain grass Pennisetum alopecuroides
- Clumping bamboo Fargesia murielae
- Maiden grass (miscanthus) Miscanthus sinensis
- Golden bamboo Phyllostachys aurea
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum