Umbrella Palm Pond Plant - Care & Grow Guide
by Tory Jon | Last Updated: November 16, 2022
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Umbrella Palm, often referred to as just "palm" or sedge, is a tropical pond plant that is super easy to grow and care for.
This tropical plant features long stiff stems and leaves that fan out, mimicking the look of an umbrella. This impressive plant's height will make it stand out, sometimes reaching 5-plus feet! If that's too much for your pond area, a dwarf umbrella palm reaches about 2 feet tall.
Remember, since this tropical plant is hardy in zones 8 - 10, it will thrive in warmer climates and must be brought inside over winter.
Scientific Name
Cyperus Alternifolius
Common Names
Umbrella plant, umbrella papyrus, palm, or sedge
Plant Type
Marginal pond plant/bog plant
Light Requirements
Full sun to partial shade
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zone 8 - 10
Bloom
July through August
Grow Up To
5 ft. tall
Flower Color
Brown
How to Plant Umbrella Palm in a Pond
Umbrella Palm is best planted in pots with potting media and a thin layer of small gravel on top (to keep the media from floating out into your pond) and placed around the marginal areas of your pond in up to 6 inches of water. Make sure it's in a spot that gets ample sunlight. Planting in a container will make it easy to control growth and remove the plant to overwinter.
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Umbrella Palm Care Guide
Umbrella Palm plants require very little maintenance if you plant them in potting containers (which will help control their growth).
You will still need to trim their roots from time to time. This can be easily done by removing the aquatic pots from your pond, removing the plant from the pot, and using a handsaw to cut the root ball in half (or dividing the plant into two). You can now add both plants back into your pond or give one to a friend.
Umbrella Palm is not cold-hardy, so it must be brought indoors and placed near a window to receive sunlight.
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