Return to a regular feeding schedule after you move the plant outdoors in spring. Papyrus is a plant indigenous to northern Africa, thus, it will survive as a hardy perennial in North America only in USDA hardiness zones 8 and warmer zone 8 might require winter mulching to protect the plants. Withhold fertilizer during the winter months. The plant may go dormant during the winter, but it will resume normal growth when the weather warms in spring. Papyrus is most likely to survive the winter if room temperatures are maintained between 60 and 65 F. A south-facing window may provide sufficient light, but you may need to place the plant under a grow light. You can also plant papyrus in a regular container filled with potting soil, but you’ll need to water frequently to prevent the soil from drying out. Be sure to keep at least a couple of inches (5 cm.) of water in the container at all times. A child’s wading pool or a galvanized metal container works well if you have several papyrus plants. Place the container inside a larger, water-filled pot with no drainage hole. Move the plant into a container with a drainage hole in the bottom. Overwintering papyrus plants is easy if you can provide sufficient warmth, light, and moisture. Be sure to bring your papyrus plant indoors where it will be warm and snug before temperatures in your area fall below 40 F. It will be quite happy to grow indoors over the winter months. It does fine in regular soil though with enough. It does need quite a bit of water though, as it is a plant that grows at the water's edge. Grown in a large pot (as I do) or in the ground, it will get 5' tall or more. Bright light is essential for this plant so find a sunny area. Although Papyrus normally gets pretty huge, 'King Tut' is a smaller variety that still makes a bold statement if you want it to. Indoor papyrus care during winter is ideal for those living in cooler climates. King Tut Papyrus is a tender perennial and must be taken indoors in fall before first frost for overwintering in a sunroom or greenhouse.
#King tut papyrus overwinter how to#
How to Care for Papyrus in Winter Indoors Remove dead growth as it appears throughout the winter. Be sure the rhizomes are located where they are protected from freezing temperatures. In its native habitat, papyrus can reach heights of 16 feet (5 m.), but ornamental plants tend to top out at about one-third that height.Ĭyperus papyrus growing in warmer climates requires little winter care, although plants in zone 9 may die back to the ground and rebound in spring. Winterizing Cyperus PapyrusĪlso known as bulrush, papyrus ( Cyperus papyrus) is a dramatic aquatic plant that grows in dense clumps along ponds, swamps, shallow lakes, or slow-moving streams. Read on to learn more about winter papyrus care. Although papyrus doesn’t demand much effort, the plant will die if subjected to frosty weather. Papyrus is a vigorous plant suitable for growing in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11, but overwintering papyrus plants is critical during the winter months in more northern climates.