Cyperus Helferi Vitro Culture

Grass that stays where you put it. Cyperus helferi grows long ribbon-like blades from a central rosette, giving the swaying grass effect of a Vallisneria without the running — it is a true sedge, so it thickens in place instead of colonizing the tank. This is the sterile Vitro Culture® (tissue culture) format.

What You'll Receive

Fresh, healthy Cyperus helferi Vitro Culture® cultivated and prepared by Aquarium Plants Factory®, available in convenient pack sizes:

• 1 Bag: One 4-inch Vitro Culture® bag containing many small plantlets ready for separation and planting.
• 5 Bags: Five 4-inch Vitro Culture® bags containing many small plantlets per bag for medium to large aquascapes.
• 10 Bags: Ten 4-inch Vitro Culture® bags containing many small plantlets per bag, ideal for large aquariums, propagation, or aquascape layouts.

Vitro Culture® plants are pest-free, algae-free, and snail-free, making them a safe and clean option for aquariums.

Plant Profile

• Common name — Helfer's Cyperus
• Scientific name — Cyperus helferi
• Also known as — Aquarium Umbrella Grass
• Origin — Thailand and Myanmar
• Placement — Midground to background
• Shipped size — 4-inch bag of small plantlets
• Mature height — 8–16 in
• Suits — 10 gallons and up
• Growth rate — Medium

Care

• Difficulty — Beginner
• Light — Medium. Stronger light keeps growth dense and upright
• CO₂ — Not required, though it produces longer blades with it
• Water — 68–82°F · pH 6.0–7.5
• Substrate — Required. Strong root feeder — nutrient substrate or root tabs
• Growth habit — Amphibious. Grows well emersed in paludariums
• Propagation — Side shoots from the base; separate once they have their own roots

Grower's Notes

• It clumps rather than spreads. Vallisneria runs across the substrate and colonizes wherever it lands; Cyperus stays put and thickens from the base. That makes it far easier to control in a designed layout — and the reason to choose it if Vallisneria has taken over a tank on you before.
• Plant it where there is flow. The long flexible blades move with current, and that motion is most of what you are buying. In a dead corner it just stands still.
• Feed at the roots. It is a strong root feeder and grows short and pale in inert gravel.
• Rinse the gel off and separate the plantlets before planting, spacing them out so each rosette has room to widen.
• Tissue culture stock arrives small. Give it a few months to build the long blades — this is not an instant background.

Notes

• Appearance, size, and coloration may vary depending on growing conditions and season. Plants may arrive in their emersed (farm-grown) form and will transition to their submerged aquarium form after planting.
• Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.

At a glance

• Free shipping on orders of $150 or more (after discounts) within the contiguous United States, by USPS.
• Free thermal protection is included with every shipment, all year round.
• Processing: most orders leave us within 1 to 2 business days. Tracking is emailed when your order ships.
• USPS (2 to 5 business days) ships Monday through Saturday.
• UPS 2nd Day Air® ships Monday through Wednesday. Order by Tuesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
• UPS Next Day Air® ships Monday through Thursday. Order by Wednesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
• Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and military addresses ship by USPS at a flat rate shown at checkout.
• Weather holds: during extreme heat or cold we may hold live orders until it's safe to ship.
• We ship within the United States only.

Please bring live plants indoors and unpack them the day they arrive. Every live order is covered by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee.

The complete rules, including lost packages and address issues, are in our Shipping Policy. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.

Every live order is backed by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee. If a plant arrives dead, we'll make it right.

How it works

• Tell us within 24 hours of the delivery time on your tracking.
• Send photos of the affected items in their original, unopened packaging, plus a photo of the shipping label, to hello@aquariumplantsfactory.com with your order number.
• We'll make it right with a replacement, store credit or refund for the affected item.

Good to know

• Some melting or yellowing as plants adjust from greenhouse to aquarium life is normal. They regrow from healthy roots and rhizomes.
• Please bring your package indoors and unpack it the day it arrives.
• Free promotional items and shipping charges are not covered.

The complete rules, including what's covered and what voids the guarantee, are in our Returns, Refunds & Live Arrival Guarantee. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.

Please review your state's regulations on restricted plants, as we are committed to not shipping plants that are restricted in your area. Do not release any plants into the wild or waterways, as this can harm local ecosystems by introducing invasive species.

Your cooperation in protecting the environment is appreciated. For continuously updated information, refer to the USDA State Noxious Weed list here.

Thank you for your responsible commitment to environmental preservation.