Dwarf Egyptian Paper Rush (Cyperus papyrus ‘Perkamentus’)

Dwarf Egyptian Paper Rush | Cyperus papyrus ‘Perkamentus’

A compact, architectural papyrus style marginal plant with upright triangular stems and fine mop like heads, ideal for sunny shallow pond edges, container ponds and conservatories.

A compact papyrus for small ponds, patio water bowls and tropical style planting

Cyperus papyrus ‘Perkamentus’, commonly known as Dwarf Egyptian Paper Rush, is a compact form of papyrus grown for its bold architectural shape and tropical appearance. It has upright triangular stems topped with fine, umbrella like heads of slender green spikelets, giving it the classic papyrus look in a much smaller and more manageable size.

This plant is a brilliant choice for customers who want the dramatic appearance of Egyptian papyrus without the huge height of the standard species. Reaching approximately 75 cm to 100 cm tall, it is well suited to smaller ponds, patio water features, container ponds, conservatories and decorative water gardens. Its upright stems and spreading mop like tops create an instant feature, adding height, movement and a more exotic feel to pond planting schemes.

Cyperus papyrus ‘Perkamentus’ is best grown in full sun, where it can produce strong stems and a good display of fresh green foliage. It is suitable for very shallow pond margins, with a recommended planting depth of 0 cm to 10 cm, measured from the top of the basket to the water surface. It can also be grown in constantly damp soil, a bog garden, a container water garden or a large water retentive pot.

This is not a hardy UK pond plant. It should be protected from frost and brought into a frost free position before cold weather arrives. It can make an excellent conservatory or house plant if kept warm, bright and wet. Where temperatures remain above around 15°C, it may stay evergreen, but in cooler conditions growth may slow or decline. For outdoor ponds in the UK, it is best treated as a summer and late season feature plant.

The flowers are not the main feature of this plant. During August and September, it may produce small spikelets at the tops of the stems, but it is mainly grown for its strong upright habit and decorative papyrus heads. Its bold shape contrasts well with softer plants such as Water Forget Me Not, Creeping Jenny, Water Mint, Primulas, Astilbes, Irises and compact rushes.

Cyperus papyrus ‘Perkamentus’ is a particularly good option for modern gardens, patio ponds and formal water bowls where strong shape and simple green structure are needed.

🇬🇧 UK-grown aquatic plant: Grown at a dedicated aquatic plant nursery in the South of England and carefully prepared for delivery across the UK.

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Key Benefits

• Compact dwarf papyrus style plant
• Strong architectural shape for pond edges and containers
• Upright triangular stems with fine mop like heads
• Ideal for small ponds, patio ponds and water bowls
• Excellent late season display plant
• Suitable for shallow water or damp soil
• Can be grown as a conservatory or indoor water loving plant
• Adds a tropical feel to water garden planting
• More manageable than full size Egyptian papyrus
• Good for full sun positions
• Works well in ornamental ponds and container water gardens
• Evergreen indoors if kept warm enough

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Reasons to Buy Cyperus papyrus ‘Perkamentus’

• Cyperus papyrus ‘Perkamentus’ is a great choice if you want a striking feature plant for a small pond or container pond. It gives the exotic look of papyrus but in a shorter, easier to manage form.
• It is especially useful where height and structure are needed without using a very large plant. The tall stems and fine papyrus heads create a strong silhouette, making it ideal for patio water bowls, modern ponds and ornamental planting schemes.
• This plant is also a good option for customers who want something unusual. It has a distinctive tropical appearance and looks very different from many traditional UK marginal pond plants.
• Because it is not hardy, it is best suited to customers who are happy to protect it from frost or use it as a seasonal feature. It can be moved into a conservatory, greenhouse or bright indoor position for winter.

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Care Instructions

• Grow Cyperus papyrus ‘Perkamentus’ in full sun for the strongest growth and best appearance. A bright, warm position is ideal.
• For pond planting, place the basket in very shallow water at a depth of 0 cm to 10 cm. Planting depth is measured from the top of the basket to the water surface.
• Smaller 9 cm plants should be repotted into a larger aquatic basket before being placed into the pond. Start them no deeper than 25% of the maximum recommended planting depth so they can establish properly.
• 1 litre plants can usually be placed into the pond without repotting, although moving them into a larger basket can be beneficial for stability, especially because this is an upright plant.
• 3 litre and 5 litre plants are larger and more established, so they can normally be placed up to the maximum recommended depth straight away.
• Keep the roots constantly moist. If grown in a pot, use a water retaining container or stand the pot in a saucer of water during the growing season.
• Protect from frost. Before cold weather arrives, move the plant into a frost free greenhouse, conservatory or bright indoor space. Keep it wet and warm over winter.
• Trim away old, damaged or yellowing stems as needed to keep the plant tidy.

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Flowering Period

Cyperus papyrus ‘Perkamentus’ may produce small spikelets in August and September.

The flowers are not showy. This plant is mainly grown for its upright stems, fine papyrus heads and architectural foliage.

Flowering and growth will depend on warmth, sunlight, plant maturity and seasonal conditions.

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Size, Spread and Growing Conditions

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How Many Plants Will I Need?

For small ponds and container ponds, one plant is often enough to create a strong feature.

For a fuller display on a shallow marginal shelf, allow approximately:

• 3 to 5 x 1 litre plants per linear metre
• 2 to 3 x 3 litre plants per linear metre

Because this plant is upright and architectural, it often looks best as a feature plant rather than being crowded too closely with other tall marginals.

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Your Plant on Arrival

Your Cyperus papyrus ‘Perkamentus’ will arrive potted, depending on the size selected.

1 litre, 3 litre and 5 litre marginal plants arrive pre planted in Finofil aquatic baskets using aquatic soil and slow release fertiliser. These can normally be placed onto a shallow pond shelf at the recommended depth.

9 cm plants arrive in solid nursery pots and will need repotting into aquatic baskets before being placed into the pond.

Aquatic basket measurements:

• 1 litre basket: 11 cm wide x 11 cm high
• 3 litre basket: 18 cm wide x 16 cm high
• 5 litre basket: 24 cm wide x 14 cm high

Finofil aquatic baskets are made from 100% recycled plastic and are designed with a fine mesh that helps retain aquatic soil while allowing water to move around the roots. A hessian liner is optional and is not normally required.

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Dispatching Your Pond Plants

Pond plants are carefully selected, watered and packed before dispatch. As living plants, the amount of visible growth, stem height and foliage condition will vary depending on the season, weather and natural growth cycle.

Cyperus papyrus ‘Perkamentus’ is usually at its best in warmer weather and may only be available later in the season when plants have developed enough growth for a good display.

Unpack your plant promptly when it arrives and check that the basket or pot is moist. Place it into shallow water, a container pond, conservatory pot or damp planting area as soon as practical.

Do not allow the basket, pot or rootball to dry out. If you cannot plant immediately, keep the plant somewhere bright, sheltered and frost free, with the compost kept wet.

This is a tender plant, so protect it from cold weather and frost during delivery periods, late season planting and overwintering.

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Similar pond plants

For another pond-edge planting option, compare Umbrella Palm (Cyperus alternifolius) and Egyptian Paper Rush (Cyperus papyrus). Explore the Cyperus pond plant group to compare the whole collection.

Explore more marginal pond plants or browse our complete pond plants range. Need baskets, aquatic soil or planting essentials? Browse our pond plant baskets and aquatic planting supplies.