umbrella plant

Umbrella plants should be watered once a week, using enough water to moisten the potting mix but not to soggy. It is best to allow the top half of the soil to dry out between watering. The soil in which umbrella plant grows should not be allowed to dry out completely. During the warmer weather, you'll need to water your plant more often. If you see the yellowing of the lower leaves, that's a sign of too much water - best to water less often.

The umbrella plant (Cyperus alternifolius 'Variegatus') needs at least 4 - 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. This should ideally be in the morning hours, as this is when the sun's intensity is lower and will not cause the plant additional stress during this time. When summer approaches, the plant should receive more sunlight, however, make sure to avoid full exposure during the afternoons, when the intensity of the sun is more likely to cause sunburns or cause the leaves to turn yellow.

Pruning of Cyperus alternifolius 'Variegatus' (Umbrella Plant) should be done during spring months or early summer. Keep in mind the umbrella plant is fast-growing and can become large if not pruned. Generally, the amount of pruning needed is dependent of how large you want the plant to grow and if there is any dead or damaged foliage to remove. It is typical to remove 1/3 of the shoots and thin the plant's foliage. You may even remove some of the roots if you want to keep a more compact shape.