Papyrus is quite easy to propagate. If division is not an option for you, you can perhaps grow your new young plants from cuttings. In addition to a he althy starting plant, you need a little patience.
How do I propagate papyrus cuttings effectively?
False papyrus, i.e. Cyprus grass, can be propagated by cuttings by cutting the stalks 5 cm below the petals, preferably in summer. This method is unlikely to be successful with real papyrus; dividing the root ball is more recommended.
How do I cut offshoots?
The propagation of the real papyrus through cuttings is quite difficult, but with the “false papyrus”, i.e. other varieties of Cyprus grass, it is very easy. Cut the stalks here about 5 cm below the petals. The best time to grow cuttings is summer. You can also try this type of propagation with real papyrus, but with little chance of success.
Trim the bracts a little, then place the leaf heads about 2 cm deep in growing substrate (€6.00 at Amazon) or a mixture of peat and sand. Alternatively, you can grow the cuttings in a container with water. After successful rooting, plant the offshoots in flower pots.
How else can I propagate papyrus?
You can easily propagate both real and false papyrus by dividing the root ball. To do this, dig up the root ball or use the planned transplant to divide your papyrus. Using a sharp knife, cut off one or more parts of the root ball. Make sure that all separated bale parts have at least one stalk each, preferably several.
Now comes the planting. Use normal potting soil enriched with a little well-rotted compost. Place the bale pieces in different pots and water them all well. The soil should be kept particularly moist in the near future. As a swamp plant, the non-hardy papyrus is always quite thirsty and somewhat sensitive to drought.
The most important things in brief:
- Real papyrus is difficult to grow from cuttings
- alternative propagation: division
- Cyprus grass is easy to grow from cuttings
- Offshoots are best cut in summer
Tip
If you would like to propagate your real papyrus, then try dividing the root ball, so you have a good chance of growing new, strong plants.