diff --git a/mods/default/functions.lua b/mods/default/functions.lua
index fd759275..3accbd1f 100644
--- a/mods/default/functions.lua
+++ b/mods/default/functions.lua
@@ -152,7 +152,8 @@ end
 function default.grow_papyrus(pos, node)
 	pos.y = pos.y - 1
 	local name = minetest.get_node(pos).name
-	if name ~= "default:dirt_with_grass" and name ~= "default:dirt" then
+	if name ~= "default:dirt_with_grass" and name ~= "default:dirt" and
+			name ~= "default:sand" then
 		return
 	end
 	if not minetest.find_node_near(pos, 3, {"group:water"}) then
@@ -184,7 +185,7 @@ minetest.register_abm({
 
 minetest.register_abm({
 	nodenames = {"default:papyrus"},
-	neighbors = {"default:dirt", "default:dirt_with_grass"},
+	neighbors = {"default:dirt", "default:dirt_with_grass", "default:sand"},
 	interval = 50,
 	chance = 20,
 	action = function(...)
diff --git a/mods/default/mapgen.lua b/mods/default/mapgen.lua
index c40f2204..733fd6d7 100644
--- a/mods/default/mapgen.lua
+++ b/mods/default/mapgen.lua
@@ -578,7 +578,7 @@ function default.register_biomes()
 		--node_water_top = "",
 		--depth_water_top = ,
 		--node_water = "",
-		y_min = 1,
+		y_min = 5,
 		y_max = 31000,
 		heat_point = 95,
 		humidity_point = 10,
@@ -596,7 +596,7 @@ function default.register_biomes()
 		--depth_water_top = ,
 		--node_water = "",
 		y_min = -112,
-		y_max = 0,
+		y_max = 4,
 		heat_point = 95,
 		humidity_point = 10,
 	})
@@ -944,7 +944,7 @@ function default.register_decorations()
 			persist = 0.6
 		},
 		biomes = {"desert"},
-		y_min = 2,
+		y_min = 5,
 		y_max = 31000,
 		schematic = minetest.get_modpath("default").."/schematics/large_cactus.mts",
 		flags = "place_center_x",
@@ -966,11 +966,11 @@ function default.register_decorations()
 			persist = 0.6
 		},
 		biomes = {"desert"},
-		y_min = 2,
+		y_min = 5,
 		y_max = 31000,
 		decoration = "default:cactus",
 		height = 2,
-	        height_max = 5,
+		height_max = 5,
 	})
 
 	-- Papyrus
diff --git a/mods/default/schematics/papyrus.mts b/mods/default/schematics/papyrus.mts
index a3b67776..8af4dc2b 100644
Binary files a/mods/default/schematics/papyrus.mts and b/mods/default/schematics/papyrus.mts differ