Hello. I'm new to this forum, and look forward to getting lots of information as I get more into my new hobby. To start me off, a lady I babysit for gave me two plants. She told me they are cyprus and need lots of water. To me, they look like mini Christmas trees. I haven't been able to find information online to help me to know how to care for them. Are there different types of cyprus? Are they indoor plants? How much light do they need? A friend gave me a spider plant. She said it needs light, but wasn't specific about the water. Any help there? Also, I'd like to get some ideas of other plants I can get that will thrive indoors since there isn't much sunlight in my bedroom, and that's where I'd like the plants to be. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
There are many species of Cyperus, some larger than others. I had a Cyperus involucratus 'Gracilis' or Dwarf Umbrella Plant that was about 3' tall. It was kept in a shallow bowl of water behind a south-facing window. Little maintenance required. I think it would benefit from rhizome pruning once every one or two years; it seems new growth only comes from one end of a rhizome. I've not seen new growth from areas where old shoots had been removed.
I have no idea what type of cyperus I have. The edges are turning brown, and I've been watering them. I don't know what to do at all. Is there somewhere I can go and see pictures of various kinds? Maybe I can pick it out, and figure things out from there. I've tried searching through Google Images, but nothing that comes up looks like it at all.
The most common ones sold as indoor plants are C. involucratus, the dwarf variety mentioned above, and C. papyrus. A good tool for finding pictures for comparison is Google Images.
It doesn't look like any of those. I may have to take a picture when I get home and upload it somehow. Hopefully someone will recognize it.
Yes, that's the one! Thanks, everyone. Now I can find out how to take care of those gorgeous little things.
Cypress - a family of coniferous trees Cyperus - a genus of sedges Cyprus - an island nation in the Mediterranean ;-) Where do you want to keep your tree? Monterey Cypress is only hardy in a very limited area of the extreme southwest of Canada (Vancouver area), it can't be grown outside in most of Canada.
WOW! They actually look like they need to be put into bigger pots now. I'd like for it to be indoors until I absolutely have to plant it outside. I live in Nova Scotia. I'm guessing it won't do very well here.
They can be kept as indoor plants for a very long time, they will just need lots of sunlight, and will definately like being put outside for the spring and summer. If you keep them in smaller pots they will stay smaller for a longer time, i have on that is about 2 feet high in a 5 inch pot and it is doing really really well. Where I used to work we had some in 12 inch pots that wer about 10-15 feet high and shaped into diferrent topiary forms, they were all over 30 year old. So they can last indoor with the proper care, just never let them get too dry, they will not revive from that.
As far as your Spider plant/ Chlorophytum comosum, bight indirect light is fine, even a small amount of direct, although not enough to burn, also, dapple sun is ok. Water thoroughly when dry.
Ok, that definitely helps. I think the cyprus weren't getting enough light. That may be the problem I'm having now. How often do I need to water them? Thanks a lot!
They need water when the top of the soil is slightly dry to the touch, if there is some browning on the needles it can be pruned off.
