About
Sprays of fine-textured, greenish flowers may appear all year round. A low-growing, clump-forming hardy evergreen sedge with narrow, strap-like green foliage which forms an umbrella shape. Ideal as a ground cover plant on the edges of a pond in milder areas, or as a houseplant in a shady corner of the house. Plant in a cm or so of water.
About the genus
Cyperus can be annuals or evergreen, rhizomatous perennials, with linear, grass-like leaves and terminal clusters of small greenish flower-spikes with spreading leaf-like bracts beneath
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisturePoorly-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeBogs, Grass Like, Houseplants
HabitClump forming, Tufted
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Houseplants, Patio and container plants
Native toS Trop. & S Africa
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moisture-retentive soil, can be grown as marginal or bog plant. If growing as a houseplant, it prefers being kept in a shady part of the house in around 1cm of water. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice. May have the potential to become a nuisance in small gardens as it is quite vigorous
PruningTrim off dead or dying stems. Cut back when flowerheads begin to look tired
PropagationPropagate by division
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free