The umbrella plant is slightly toxic and will cause minor vomiting and diarrhea if ingested by a pet or even human. This houseplant has an indefinite lifespan as it continually produces offsets that spread and grow however, the individual plant survives for 2 to 5 years. If you treat it right and care for it optimally, you can expect the cyperus alternifolius to grow 1 to 2 feet (30.5 – 61cm) each year. You’ll enjoy watching your plant grow at a relatively fast speed. Their thin, flat leaves grow around 6 to 10 inches (15 – 25cm) long. In suitable conditions, the cyperus alternifolius can reach up to 18 to 36 inches (46 – 91cm) in height, and a spread of 15 to 18 inches (38 – 46cm). It’s extremely unlikely to die from overwatering, as it thrives in boggy and moist conditions. This aquatic plant is perfect for those who tend to struggle with overwatering plants. The leaflets that grow on top of the stems look like the spokes of an umbrella. Its ‘umbrella’ name comes from its appearance. Native to Madagascar, just like the dragon tree, this perennial sedge is part of the Cyperaceae family. The houseplant is also commonly known as umbrella grass, umbrella papyrus, umbrella sedge, or the umbrella palm, and its botanical name is cyperus alternifolius. Why Are the Plant’s Leaves Falling Off?.Stem: Stem Color: Green Stem Is Aromatic: No Stem Form: Straight Stem Surface: Smooth (glabrous) Stem Description: The stems (scapes) are erect, dark green, crowded.

Bracts 11-25, linear, leaflike, green, 1/4' wide, crowded at top of scape.

Cultural Conditions: Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours) Soil Texture: Loam (Silt) Sand Soil pH: Acid ( 6 inches Leaf Width: < 1 inch Leaf Description: Leafless stem topped with spiral of dark green leaves.

Whole Plant Traits: Plant Type: Ornamental Grasses and Sedges Perennial Water Plant Habit/Form: Clumping Erect Multi-stemmed Growth Rate: Rapid Maintenance: Medium Texture: Medium.

Attributes: Genus: Cyperus Species: alternifolius Family: Cyperaceae Uses (Ethnobotany): Houseplants, containers, cools and ponds, arrangements Life Cycle: Perennial Woody Recommended Propagation Strategy: Division Stem Cutting Country Or Region Of Origin: Africa and the Arabian Peninsula Play Value: Buffer Easy to Grow Dimensions: Height: 1 ft.

Tags: #evergreen #water garden #houseplant #frost tender #sedge #showy leaves #pond margins #terrarium #tender perennials #pond garden #self-seeding #grass-like #arrangements #fantz #humidity tolerant #wet soils tolerant #dry soils intolerant #container plant #showy #aquatic #tender See this plant in the following landscape: Water Garden Water Wheel Cultivars / Varieties: Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues. The scapes tend to grow so long that they flop over and take root, so they may require support.

20-25 linear, leaflike bracts crowded at scape top.

Stem (scape) up to 3' long, green, glabrous.

Grass-like leafy bracts form umbrella at top of scape.

Known as phytoremediation, where plants have the ability to extract and remove pollutants from soils, Cyperus alternifolius can accumulate copper, manganese from the surrounding soil. The roots need to remain wet at all times. Fertile soil is preferred.īrowning leaf tips can be caused by the lack of proper water conditions. This plant does well in sun or light shade, however, requires protection from strong sun and harsh winds, as the bracts can be damaged from exposure, Whether grown as part of a water garden or indoors as a houseplant (container on tray of water), keep the soil moist or grow in standing water. As a houseplant, the size can be cut in half. Typically reaching heights of 4', under ideal outdoor conditions of a warm, moist environment, they can grow up to 6'. In some locations, with the right conditions, it can become weedy and invasive.

Its root system is well-developed, anchoring the plant into the surrounding wet soil where it can spread via its rhizomes as well as by its self-seeding tendencies. The Umbrella Plant is a member of a large family of plants, with over 600 grass-like varieties, typically native to predominately tropical locations. The true leaves on this plant clasp the tall stem in a manner so that they are hard to distinguish from the stem. The bracts are sometimes referred to as leaves. They have the appearance of the spokes of an umbrella. The common name of Umbrella Plant, Palm, Sedge, or Grass comes from the bracts that grow atop of its tall stems.

Phonetic Spelling sy-PEER-us al-tern-ee-FOH-lee-us DescriptionĬyperus comes from a Greek word meaning 'sedge', while alternifolius translates to 'alternate-leaved'.

Cyperus umbrella plant