How to Grow Papyrus and Other Water Garden Plants

Papyrus, the ancient plant the Egyptians made paper from, is a dramatic and beautiful addition to a home water garden. Learn how to grow papyrus and othr water garden plants in this eHow Home video:

Papyrus is easy to grow outside as long as the temperature remains above 45 F, and they will continue to flourish when brought indoors. The 3-year-old papyrus featured in this video is growing in a 22″ terra cotta pot and is sitting in standing water. You can also grow some of the alocasias and colocacias, members of the elephant ear family, in standing water.

While you can place water garden plants on iron grates that are submerged in water (or close to it), you can also take a terra cotta pot of comparable size, flip it upside down under water, and sit the pot with the plant in it on it. Make sure the plant is submerged in the water so that the soil stays consistently moist.

Most water garden plants like full sun, but if you live in an area with intense hot summers, it’s better if your pond is located on the east side of your backyard rather than the west side. When it comes to fish in your pond, koi is not a good idea as they nibble on the leaves and roots, but goldfish will work.