Papyrus, Papyrus sedge, Paper reed, Nile grass, Indian matting plant
Family
Cyperaceae (sedge family)
Origin
Africa, Madagascar and the Mediterranean region; introduced elsewhere in the tropics
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
500 cm
Temperature
10–30°C
Care level
expert
Lighting
Full sun to part shade; grown emersed
Care
Warning: this is a giant marsh (marginal) plant, not an underwater plant. Kept fully submerged it slowly dies. Grow it with its roots in water in a large pond, conservatory pool or very large paludarium. Papyrus is the sedge used in ancient Egypt to make paper. It grows in flooded swamps and lake margins in up to about 2 m of water, usually reaching 4–5 m tall, and in deep swamps forms floating mats. Each tall stem ends in a large mop of thread-like rays. It is frost-sensitive, though it survives a few degrees of frost if the rhizomes are protected. A dwarf cultivar, 'Nanus', is more manageable; both hold the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyperuspapyrus); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.
Breeding
Usually by dividing the rhizome into small clumps; it can also be grown fairly easily from seed.
Compatibility and tank mates
Do not sell or buy it as a true aquarium plant. Suits warm ponds with fish such as goldfish and koi, which leave the emersed stems alone.
Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.
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