The Prince Tut Grass, botanically known as Cyperus papyrus ‘Prince Tut’, is a popular ornamental plant valued for its fine-textured, fountain-like appearance. This dwarf cultivar of the Egyptian Papyrus typically reaches a manageable height of 18 to 30 inches, making it a versatile choice for landscapes and containers. Its sturdy, upright stems are topped with dense, umbrella-shaped plumes that add an architectural element to any setting. Gardeners in cooler climates commonly treat this tropical sedge as an annual, while those in warmer regions (USDA Zones 10-11) can enjoy it as an aquatic perennial or bog plant.
Getting Started: Optimal Planting Conditions
Successful establishment of Prince Tut Grass begins with selecting the correct location, focusing on its strong preference for moisture. The plant performs best with six or more hours of full sun exposure, though it requires a minimum of four hours daily. While it tolerates partial shade, the most robust growth and largest plumes develop under bright, sunny conditions, provided the root system is kept consistently wet.
Prince Tut is highly adaptable to various soil types but prefers wet, heavy environments. It readily absorbs excess moisture and tolerates poorly drained clay soil. If planting in sandy soil, integrate organic matter like peat or compost to increase water-holding capacity, which is necessary for the plant’s sustained health.
When planting, ensure the soil remains consistently moist, or place the plant directly into a bog or at the water’s edge of a pond. For container gardening, choose a pot without drainage holes or plug existing holes to maintain saturation. The crown of the plant should remain above the water line, even if the root ball is submerged in a few inches of water.
Essential Routine Care (Watering and Feeding Schedules)
The most important factor in keeping Prince Tut Grass thriving is maintaining a constant, high level of moisture around the roots. As an aquatic plant, its root system must never dry out. Allowing the soil to dry down too much will quickly cause the characteristic plumes to turn brown, diminishing the plant’s aesthetic appeal.
Gardeners should aim to keep the soil consistently wet or soggy throughout the growing season. This is easily managed in containers by placing the pot in a saucer of standing water. If the plant is growing in the ground, regular, deep watering is necessary, especially during high heat. Its high water requirement makes it suitable for naturally damp areas or rain gardens.
Prince Tut Grass is a moderate feeder, unlike many annuals that demand constant, high-strength fertilization. For optimal performance, apply a general-use liquid fertilizer at a concentration of about 150 parts per million (ppm) of nitrogen. A bi-weekly application of water-soluble plant food is recommended for container specimens to support continuous growth.
Alternatively, incorporate a continuous-release fertilizer into the planting hole at the beginning of the season for a steady supply of nutrients. A second application of slow-release fertilizer halfway through the season is beneficial, particularly for plants grown year-round in warm climates.
Managing Growth: Pruning and Maintenance Cuts
Pruning maintains the clean, upright habit of the Prince Tut Grass throughout the season. The plant constantly produces new culms (stems), causing older stems to eventually turn yellow or brown. These spent culms should be removed to encourage the plant to produce new, vibrant green growth.
To prune effectively, use sharp, clean shears to cut the entire stem back down to the base of the plant, near the soil line. This removes the spent plume and prevents an unsightly collection of dead material, improving air circulation. Promptly trimming away browning culms helps restore the plant’s fresh look.
For plants growing in water or bog conditions, cut the culms just above the water level. Removing brown or damaged foliage is an ongoing, low-effort maintenance task. The best time for major pruning or cutting back old growth is typically in the early spring before the new season’s growth begins.
Preparing for the Cold: Winterizing Strategies
Prince Tut Grass is native to tropical environments and is only perennial in USDA Zones 10 and 11, where temperatures rarely drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. In cooler climates, this sedge is treated as an annual because it cannot withstand freezing temperatures. Gardeners have two primary strategies for managing the plant when cold weather arrives.
Treating as an Annual
The simplest strategy is to allow the plant to die back after the first light frost. Once the foliage has turned brown, the dead material can be cut down to the ground and removed, or left until spring cleanup. This approach is often recommended because the plant grows quickly enough to reach full size again when replanted the following spring.
Overwintering Indoors
The second strategy is to overwinter container-grown specimens indoors, which requires specific conditions. The plant must be brought inside before temperatures consistently drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It requires a location with high light exposure, such as a south-facing window.
It is critical to maintain the high moisture level, keeping the pot sitting in water throughout the winter. Since Prince Tut does not go into deep dormancy, monitor it closely for pests like fungus gnats, which are drawn to its perpetually moist soil, and provide the brightest light possible.