Cyprus grasses have been known since ancient times and are still very popular today. If you consider the requirements, Cyprus grasses prove to be uncomplicated and easy to care for.
Cyprus grasses (Cyperus) belong to the sour grass family and are distributed worldwide. The mostly perennial plants come in about 600 species. The genus name Cyperus derives from the Greek equivalent "kýperon" for aquatic and meadow plants with aromatic roots. In our latitudes, Cyprus grass provides exotic charm, especially as a houseplant. The fast-growing tropical plants can also spend the summer outdoors, in tubs or in the garden pond. Here is our article on planting Cyprus grass - tips for growing in the house, bed and garden pond as a reading tip.
The Natural Range of Cyprus Grass
Cyprus grasses are distributed almost worldwide and thrive in temperate, tropical and subtropical climate zones. Almost 100 species have been identified in North America alone. More than 60 species are found in China and around 100 species are also native to Madagascar. In Europe, Cyprus grass is represented by almost 30 species. The varieties native to our latitudes include:
- Tall Cyprus Grass
- Brown Cyprus Grass
- Kingled Cyprus Grass
- Fresh Green Cyprus Grass
Reading tip: Cyprus grass: The 10 most beautiful varieties presented.
How to properly care for Cyprus grass
❍ Water Cyprus grass:
Cyprus grasses always need sufficient water. The swamp plant wants to stand in a saucer or planter that is about half full with water. She prefers lime-free water. Regular watering is therefore mandatory, because the root ball must not dry out under any circumstances. This makes the Cyprus grass one of the few plants that have no problems with waterlogging and even wish for it. However, the plants do not tolerate being completely under water.
The plants also need high humidity. In the room it should not be below 60 percent. Brown leaf tips indicate that the plant is too dry. Therefore, spray the plants regularlywith room temperature water. This also applies to plants that are outdoors. On dry days, you must also regularly spray these plants with water. Rainwater is very suitable for this.
It is also a good idea to place an additional container filled with water next to the plant. Additional air humidifiers on the heating also improve the room climate. Incidentally, the Cyprus grass is particularly endangered in winter, because the exotic species do not like dry heating air.
❍ Fertilize Cyprus grass:
Fertilization is not a big deal with Cyprus grass. In the open air or in the garden pond, there can be no fertilization at all. If you upgrade the soil with compost or manure in spring, the plant outdoors will receive sufficient nutrients for the summer months. Plants in the garden pond supply themselves with pond water and also do not need fertilization.
Container plants, on the other hand, have a higher nutrient requirement and should be supplied monthly during the growth period between April and September with a commercially available liquid fertilizer for container plants. You can use fertilizer for aquarium plants, for example, as a fertilizer for potted plants. In any case, fertilize sparingly. Over-fertilization is noticeable by the wilting and yellowing of the leaves and damages the plant.
❍ Cut Cyprus Grass:
Cyprus grass is quite vigorous and can grow two to three meters high with good care. However, a cut is not absolutely necessary. If parts of the plant turn brown and wilt due to a lack of humidity or watering, you should of course remove them generously. If you want, you can also cut the plants back slightly before moving to the winter quarters. However, a radical pruning is not common with the water palm.
❍ Overwinter Cyprus grass:
The exotic does not tolerate cold and frost well. Outdoor plants must therefore already be brought indoors when the thermometer falls to around eight degrees at night. This can already be the case in late summer. Then it's time to find a sheltered and warm winter location for Cyprus grasses in beds, tubs and garden ponds.
The plants generally like to spend the winter in bright light. The temperature should also be between 15 and 20 degrees. A place above the heating is not advisable, because the dry heating air can severely affect the marsh plants. Check the plants in the winter quarters regularly for pest infestation and spray the Cyprus grass with room-warm water. If you keep the Cyprus grass as a houseplant all year round, it is not absolutely necessary to keep the plant cooler in winter
Recognize and avoid care mistakes in Cyprus grass
❍ Help with sluggish plants:
- pour with room temperature, lime-free water
- spray often
- Change location
- Fill less water in the saucer
- Remove wilted plant parts
❍ Help with brown leaf tips:
- do not place over the heater
- Increase Humidity
- spray often
- Check coasters and top up with water if necessary
- set up additional humidifiers in the room
❍ Help with over-fertilized plants:
- replant immediately if the leaves and stalks are yellow
- remove the old substrate as completely as possible
- do not fertilize in the first few weeks after transplanting