Propagating Umbrella Papyrus (Cyperus) is surprisingly easy! There are a few different ways to do it, but one of the coolest methods is using offsets (or “pups”). These little guys don’t show up on every plant, but when they do, you’re in business. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to turn those offsets into brand-new plants.
Harvesting the Offsets
When it comes to this method, you’re kind of at the mercy of your plant. You have to wait for it to actually produce offsets before you can get started. Keep in mind that it’s usually the larger varieties that throw out these pups; if yours isn’t the type to do that, you’ll need to try a different propagation method.
- Offsets form right at the top of the leaf crown (the tip of the stem).
- Wait until the offset is at least 4 inches (10 cm) long.
- Use a sharp, clean knife to make a clean cut.
- Trim the leaves back by about half.
Pro Tip:
If your plant isn’t producing enough offsets, don’t worry! You can simply cut off the tips of a few healthy stems and treat them exactly like offsets.
Rooting Offsets in Water
Before these little guys can go into soil, they need to develop a solid root system in water. Even if you see tiny roots starting while they’re still on the mother plant, they aren’t quite long enough to survive on their own yet.
- Fill a glass with water.
- Place the offset in the water upside down.
- Make sure the leaf crown is completely submerged.
- Place the glass in a bright, warm spot (around 68-77°F).
Pro Tip:
If you’re trying to root a bunch of offsets at once, use multiple glasses. If you crowd more than 3 or 4 in one jar, the roots will get tangled into a massive knot, making it really hard to separate them later without causing damage.
The Waiting Game
The goal is for each offset to grow plenty of roots that are at least 1.5 inches (4 cm) long. If the conditions are perfect, this can happen in as little as a week, though sometimes it takes up to a month. During this time, make sure the leaf crowns stay underwater and change the water regularly so it stays fresh and clear.
Planting Your Rooted Offsets
Once those roots are established, you have plenty of options! Cold-hardy varieties can be planted outside by the edge of a pond starting in mid-May. Otherwise, they do great in large pots. This makes it easy to bring them inside to overwinter or just keep them as a permanent houseplant.
You can also grow Umbrella Papyrus using hydroponics—think expanded clay pebbles, sand, or decorative stones. Some species even thrive in an aquarium because they are perfectly happy growing completely submerged!
