Professional Growing Information This has always been a favorite plant that I've grown for probably 20 years. Of course, it's not the same plant, however, the one I now have is coming into its 4th outdoor season after being overwintered in my basement. Over winter, i have it sitting in a bucket filled maybe 1/3 of the way w/water on a table under regular LED shop lights set close to the number of hours similar to outdoors. I have a small fan running most of the time to circulate the air as I have other outside plants such as mandevilla, scented and plain geraniums, etc overwintering too. (I started using the fan when I overwintered 2 huge Asiatic jasmines for 2 winters. I read they like air movement, and its so true. i gave these to a friend 2 winters ago as they grew too big to plant here- she overwintered them in her garage). This year, my King Tut has grown to over 3 1/2 ft in my basement! My plan for this year...I found a transparent trash can at Ollies, and 2 open weave baskets at the Dollar Tree. I will put landscape fabric between the 2 baskets into which I will plant the King, suspend the baskets so they are not fully under water, then fill the trash can with a few big rocks (easy to clean), add water, an air pump and 2 or 3 gold fish to control mosquito larvae, and put it on my patio. I'm hoping this idea will work - I live in a condo and do all I can on my small patio that faces the parking lot to make it totally private (my neighbor says it looks like a prison). There are 2 tall trellis in front on which I grow a fuschia clematis and purple & white passion flower vines. On each end of the trellis, I grow white moon glories. By the end of June, i have a full green wall covered in blooms both day and night facing the parking lot. Sadly, i keep expecting someone will complain that I'm not in keeping with the other condos, but privacy is so important to me plus i have a cat that is contained. I'm going into my 5th year, but there is a "Karen" that complains about everything and watches me like a hawk..,, My King Tut plant has always received wonderful compliments and its a perfect addition to my little world. Bring on summer!
Graceful Grasses® King Tut® Egyptian Papyrus Cyperus papyrus
- Part Sun to Sun
- Spring
- Summer
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Details
48 - 72 Inches36 - 48 Inches36 - 48 Inches1.2m - 1.8m91cm - 1.2m91cm - 1.2mFeatures
Large heads of pendulous leaves; greenish flower spikelets can measure 1' across
Award WinnerFoliage InterestHeat TolerantDeadheading Not NecessaryWater PlantGrass:GrassCharacteristics
Plant Type:AnnualHeight Category:TallGarden Height:48 - 72 Inches 1.2m - 1.8mSpacing:36 - 48 Inches 91cm - 1.2mSpread:36 - 48 Inches 91cm - 1.2mFoliage Colors:GreenFoliage Shade:GreenHabit:UprightContainer Role:ThrillerPlant Needs
Light Requirement:Part Sun to SunThe optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours).
Maintenance Category:EasyBloom Time:Grown for FoliageHardiness Zones:10a, 10b, 11a, 11bWater Category:AverageSoil Fertility Requirement:Average SoilUses:ContainerUses:GrassUses:LandscapeUses:Specimen or Focal PointUses Notes:Use as a centerpiece in large landscape beds or containers
Maintenance Notes:Cyperus Papyrus is not hardy enough to survive winters with freezing temperatures and it is not a candidate to overwinter inside. It is a very fast grower and will quickly grow to impressive size when replanted in the spring.
The plant can be planted in pots, along the waters edge of a pond, or even in a pond. The crown of the plant should never be covered in water and in fact both of these varieties can thrive in water as shallow as a few inches. The purpose is to keep the bulk of the soil or root mass wet.
The root ball can be submerged but it isn't necessary. If the plant is put into a pot I would suggest plugging the hole or holes in the bottom of the pot to keep as much water as possible in the pot.King Tut will also do well when planted in normal garden beds. It is best to keep the soil moist, but once established King Tut has proven to be surprisingly tolerant of dry conditions.
King Tut is an evergreen or neutral grass. Where temperatures get colder than 35 degrees F, the plants should be treated as annuals. Once the grass turns brown it can either be removed immediately or removed in the spring. It should not be expected to live through the winter and begin growing again in the spring.
In areas where winter temperatures remain above 35 degrees it should be considered a perennial and the following information should be useful.
Evergreen or neutral grasses are usually plants that look like grasses but aren't actually classified as grasses, they are generally called grass-like plants.
Divide evergreen or neutral grasses and grass-like plants in spring only.
Evergreen grasses don't ever go dormant. Dividing plants wounds them to some degree. For evergreen grasses this wounding will really affect their ability to live through the winter.Fine Gardening Magazine 2008 Trial Garden Recommendation.
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102 Reviews
5774233221Browse reviews from people who have grown this plant.-
June Morgan, Pennsylvania, United States, 15 min ago
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I liked this plant but it was a bit too high maintenance for me. Required a LOT of water. If allowed to dry out, the flower stalks will collapse and can't be fixed. As the summer tends to dry out, it becomes more and more attention hungry, requiring watering multiple times a day. I found the Prince Tut to be better suited for my style of gardening (containers). The flowers were shorter, but didn't have to bear the extra weight and therefore didn't fall over if allowed to get too dry.
James Jakeway, Illinois, United States, 6 years ago -
I bought these last year from here, and I must say I was truly impressed with the size and the packing, Just wonderful. I have used King Tut for the past 5 or so years in Large planters and just love the look it gives. Last year I could not find locally so I bought from here and will continue to buy from here rather than look elsewhere as these were much better plants than I had gotten anywhere else and there was no wait time for the plants to recover like I have had in the past with other vendors. A great experience with Proven Winners. Thank You So Much.
JJ Nave, Kentucky, United States, 7 years ago -
I bought these last year from here, and I must say I was truly impressed with the size and the packing, Just wonderful. I have used King Tut for the past 5 or so years in Large planters and just love the look it gives. Last year I could not find locally so I bought from here and will continue to buy from here rather than look elsewhere as these were much better plants than I had gotten anywhere else and there was no wait time for the plants to recover like I have had in the past with other vendors. A great experience with Proven Winners. Thank You So Much.
JJ Nave, Kentucky, United States, 7 years ago -
I bought these last year from here, and I must say I was truly impressed with the size and the packing, Just wonderful. I have used King Tut for the past 5 or so years in Large planters and just love the look it gives. Last year I could not find locally so I bought from here and will continue to buy from here rather than look elsewhere as these were much better plants than I had gotten anywhere else and there was no wait time for the plants to recover like I have had in the past with other vendors. A great experience with Proven Winners. Thank You So Much.
JJ Nave, Kentucky, United States, 7 years ago -
This papyrus is even better than the font!
JIZZ WAD, 9 years ago -
Contrary to most reviews, our King Tut is beginning its third season in our garden after the last two winters indoors with us. I will admit it's not thriving but we have divided into two pots this spring and expect with more room to see it produce many more shoots this summer.
Michael Croke, New Hampshire, United States, 9 years ago -
I love this plant by itself and in large container gardens. Always part of my planting plan.
Mark Smith, Indiana, United States, 11 years ago -
This is a very unique plant, it is quite a show piece. You need to keep it staked up if you have a lot of wind.
Deanna Hodges, Missouri, United States, 11 years ago -
I purchased this plant in a grouping pot. Loved it all season. Just wish it would winter over in my area. It does produce seed so I am going to try to harvest some seed to plant next season. A great eye catcher in the garden.
Maureen C, Idaho, United States, 11 years ago
91 Awards
Award Year Award Plant Trial 2023 Top Performer Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden 2018 Top Performer University of Minnesota - Morris 2012 Top Performer Ohio State University Chadwick Arboretum - Springfield 2012 Top Performer University of Tennessee - Knoxville 2012 Top Perfomer South Dakota State - McCrory Gardens 2012 Top Perfomer University of Wisconsin 2012 Top Performer University of Minnesota - Grand Rapids 2012 Top Performer Massachusetts Horticultural Society at Elm Bank 2012 Top performer in Containers University of Minnesota - Grand Rapids 2012 Top Performer University of Minnesota - Morris 12 More colors
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