Plant Identifier
Umbrella Plant

Umbrella Plant

Cyperus involucratus (formerly Cyperus alternifolius)

Family: CyperaceaeNative: MadagascarIdentified: Dec 4, 2025

The Umbrella Plant is characterized by its long, slender green stems topped with a whorl of leaf-like bracts that radiate outwards like the spokes of an umbrella. Small, inconspicuous flowers may develop in the center of the umbrella, as seen in the image, often turning brownish as they mature.

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Care instructions

This plant thrives in consistently moist to wet soil, making it suitable for bog gardens or as a pond marginal. It prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate some direct sun. Keep the soil perpetually damp, never allowing it to dry out. It can be grown as a houseplant in a pot without drainage holes, allowing water to collect at the bottom. Fertilize lightly during the growing season. Remove spent or yellowing stems at the base.