Umbrella Palm (Cyperus alternifolius)

Umbrella Palm | Cyperus alternifolius

Elegant tropical style pond plant with striking umbrella shaped foliage for ponds and bog gardens

Umbrella Palm, scientifically known as Cyperus alternifolius, is a stunning architectural marginal pond plant that instantly adds an exotic tropical appearance to ponds, bog gardens, and container water features. Famous for its distinctive umbrella shaped foliage, this elegant perennial produces upright green stems topped with circular whorls of slender arching bracts that resemble miniature palm trees or parasols.

Ideal for creating height and drama around the pond edge, Umbrella Palm works beautifully in both modern and naturalistic planting schemes. Its graceful shape softens pond margins while adding movement and texture throughout the summer months. The plant thrives in consistently wet soil or shallow water, making it particularly effective on pond shelves, around patios ponds, or in decorative aquatic containers.

From midsummer into early autumn, Cyperus alternifolius produces subtle brownish green flower clusters nestled amongst the foliage. Although the flowers are understated, the plant itself is grown primarily for its highly ornamental foliage and impressive tropical appearance.

Umbrella Palm is especially popular in contemporary water garden designs where bold foliage and architectural structure are desired. Its lush upright growth combines beautifully with waterlilies, flowering marginals, and tropical style planting themes. Around wildlife ponds, the dense stems also provide useful shelter for amphibians and emerging dragonflies.

While Cyperus alternifolius is not fully hardy in the UK, it is very easy to overwinter indoors. During colder months simply move the aquatic basket into a conservatory, greenhouse, or bright indoor position where temperatures remain above freezing. Because it is supplied planted in a Finofil aquatic basket, relocating the plant for winter protection is quick and simple.

This versatile plant can also be grown successfully in large patio containers provided the soil remains consistently damp. In warmer months it thrives outdoors in sunny sheltered positions and grows rapidly, often reaching impressive heights by late summer.

For pond owners wanting something more unusual and exotic looking, Umbrella Palm is an excellent choice. Its elegant umbrella foliage, strong upright form, and tropical appearance make it one of the most eye catching marginal pond plants available for summer displays.

🇬🇧 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

• Distinctive umbrella shaped foliage creates a tropical appearance
• Excellent architectural pond plant for height and structure
• Perfect for pond margins, bog gardens, and patio water features
• Great for container ponds and decorative aquatic displays
• Provides shelter for amphibians and emerging dragonflies
• Fast growing and visually striking during summer
• Easy to overwinter indoors in colder UK climates

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Reasons to Buy

• Adds a bold tropical look to ponds and water gardens
• Ideal feature plant for modern pond designs
• Suitable for ponds, containers, and bog gardens
• Easy to move indoors during winter
• Creates excellent contrast with flowering marginal plants

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Care Instructions

• Plant Umbrella Palm in shallow water or permanently damp soil during the warmer months.
• Position in full sun or partial shade for the strongest growth and healthiest foliage.
• Keep the soil or aquatic basket consistently moist at all times, especially during hot weather.
• Before winter frosts arrive, move the plant indoors to a bright frost free location such as a conservatory or greenhouse.
• Trim away any yellowing stems or faded foliage to maintain a tidy appearance and encourage fresh new growth.

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Flowering Period

July to August

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Size and Growing Conditions

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Dispatching Your Pond Plants

Your Umbrella Palm will be carefully packed to protect the foliage and roots during transit.

Orders received by 11am Monday to Wednesday are normally dispatched on the following working day using a next working day courier service. During busy periods, dispatch may occasionally take an extra day.

To avoid plants being held in depots over a weekend, we do not usually dispatch on Fridays. Highlands and Islands orders using a two day service are not normally dispatched on Thursdays.

Available basket sizes:

• 1 Litre Basket – usually 11 × 11 × 11cm square; some varieties may be supplied in a 14cm diameter × 10cm round basket
• Pack of 3 × 1 Litre Baskets – each usually 11 × 11 × 11cm square

Planting depth is measured from the top of the aquatic basket to the water surface.

Finofil baskets are manufactured in the UK from 100% recycled plastic and are fully recyclable. Their fine dual-mesh construction helps retain aquatic soil while allowing water and nutrients to reach the roots. Basket shape may vary slightly depending on the plant and supplier availability.

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Similar pond plants

For another pond-edge planting option, compare Egyptian Paper Rush (Cyperus papyrus) and Variegated Japanese Sweet Flag (Acorus gramineus ‘Variegatus’). 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.