Houseplant portrait cypress grass / Cyprus grass

Zypergras, commonly known as Cyprus grass, is a swamp plant that we like to keep as a houseplant. We reveal how it works.

Cyprus grass or Cyprus grass?

The houseplant cyper grass is often incorrectly called Cyprus grass: because of the well-known Mediterranean island? Or because it just works better? One does not know. In any case, the cypress grass is also a remarkable houseplant in other respects: Cyperus alternifolius is not just a type of grass, which is very unusual for a houseplant, but also a swamp plant that prefers to be permanently wet. The cypress grass is native to the tropical regions of Africa, but can also be found growing wild in the Mediterranean region, for example in Sicily. As a houseplant, the swamp plant proves to be refreshingly easy to care for, in suitable housing conditions even almost indestructible and extremely easy to grow. And who can say that they cultivate a swamp plant in their own four walls?

Houseplant with leaf heads

In terms of appearance, the cypress grass is a very idiosyncratic houseplant. It grows to a height of 60 to 100 centimeters and grows upright, but in the upper part it is very wide. At the ends of their tall, sturdy stems are airy leaf heads that consist of up to 25 centimeters long, narrow leaves that are arranged in a circle and hang picturesquely. In the middle of these tufts, tiny, yellowish flowers can form all year round, on which the seeds of the plant subsequently develop. Another peculiarity of the houseplant is its enormous spreading pleasure: Similar to bamboo, it forms so-called clumps, so that the plant grows constantly in width.

Gardener's tip: If you decide to buy a variety of cypress grass with patterned foliage, for example 'Variegatus', you shouldn't be surprised: the drawing is often lost over the years.

Cypress grass needs a lot of light

As a houseplant, cypress grass needs a lot of light. The location should be very bright all year round. In summer, however, it is still advisable to protect the plant from direct sunlight, since leaf burns can sometimes occur near window panes. Otherwise, normal room temperature is also completely fine for the cypress grass - in summer it can be a bit warmer, in winter it can be a bit cooler. A high level of humidity, such as that prevailing in bathrooms or in the winter garden, is very beneficial for the health of the swamp plant as an extra location bonus, but is not absolutely necessary.

High quality potting soil and regular repotting

As a substrate, the cypress grass prefers high-quality potting soil from gardening retailers: it is rich in nutrients and humus. Due to the amount of water that the swamp plant needs, the nutrients are also quickly washed out, which is why new soil and a new pot are usually due every one to two years. The new planter would usually be necessary anyway, as cypress grass is known to grow quickly. The right time to repot is in spring.

Thirsty swamp plant

The water requirements of the swamp plant should not be underestimated even in indoor culture. The easiest way to satisfy the thirst of the cypress grass is with a coaster that is filled with water from spring to autumn and in which the pot of the houseplant stands permanently. You can also pour water into the planter several centimeters high. Normal watering is also carried out, in the summer it is also sprayed over and over. Although not particularly sensitive to lime, the cypress grass is best given water with little lime in the long run.

Watering is a little more economical in winter: the coaster disappears and the water from the planter is also thrown away. Nevertheless, the substrate should be kept permanently moist during this time and never dry out. This is particularly important if the houseplant is warm even in winter.

Gardener's tip: If you water too little or with water that is too calcareous, the cyper grass reacts quickly with brown leaf tips or general death of the leaves. In this case, cut back the houseplant vigorously - healthy leaves usually grow back quickly.

Cypress grass

Photo: Kientzler GmbH & Co. KG

Fertilize cypress grass

During its growth phase, i.e. from spring to autumn, the cyber grass is fertilized with liquid flower fertilizer in half concentration every two weeks. If the houseplant is warm all year round, there is no rest phase and it can still be fertilized. In that case, however, it is sufficient to give nutrients every five to six weeks.

Multiply or tame cypress grass

Even hobby gardeners without a green thumb should not refrain from regularly dividing the rhizome rootstock: this keeps the plant healthy, tames its urge to spread or can be used for propagation. It makes sense to do the dividing while repotting in spring. If you have seeds (very rare on houseplants, as there is usually no fertilization in the house), you can also sow the seeds on wet, humus-rich soil. Another way to multiply is to cut cuttings. To do this, cut off individual leaves with a short stem and put them upside down in the water. As soon as roots have formed, you can move to your own pots with permanently moist substrate.

Caution, spider mites

Spider mites are well-known pests on houseplants - but they are particularly popular with cypress grass. The infestation can usually be traced back to a lack of air humidity, which can quickly develop, especially in winter when the heating air is dry. Spraying is a simple but effective preventive measure.