About

Nymphaea 'Albatros' is a hardy aquatic perennial that produces sizeable, lightly-scented, white double blooms reaching up to 20 cm across. Its broad leaves emerge deep purple and gradually transition to green as the growing season progresses.

About the genus

Nymphaea consists of rhizomatous, aquatic perennials that grow beneath the water's surface. They produce rounded, floating leaves and notable cup- or bowl-shaped flowers, which can be fragrant and appear in various colors. These blooms are positioned on or above the water and give way to submerged fruits resembling berries.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Clay, Loam
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline, Acid
Soil moisture
Poorly-drained
Aspect
South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H5

Plant details

Plant type
Aquatic
Habit
Submerged, Floating
Foliage
Deciduous
Spread
1-1.5 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
City and courtyard gardens, Wildlife gardens
Fragrance
Flower

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in undisturbed water in full sun. Plant in baskets in loamy soil with crowns just below soil surface and covered with pea shingle. Position the basket so it is covered by 15-25cm of water and as the plants establish, lower the basket to twice the initial depth. Feed plants throughout the growing season; see waterlily cultivation for further information
Pruning
Deadhead and remove yellow leaves regularly
Propagation
Propagate by division of rhizomes or offsets in summer, place pots in shallow water until established. See pond plant propagation
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to brown china-mark moth, false leaf-mining midge, water lily beetle and water lily aphid. See waterlily pests for more details
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to crown rot, brown spot and water lily leaf spot