About
A deciduous aquatic perennial with small, oval, dark green, sometimes prurplish leaves to 8cm in diameter. The flowers are pink and change to red as they age.
About the genus
Nymphaea are rhizomatous, submerged aquatic perennials with floating, rounded leaves and showy, sometimes fragrant, cup- or bowl-shaped flowers in a wide range of colours, held on or above the water and followed by submerged, berry-like fruits
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisturePoorly-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeAquatic
HabitSubmerged, Floating
FoliageDeciduous
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesWildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in undisturbed water in full sun. Plant in baskets in loamy soil with crowns just below soil surface and covered with pea shingle. Position basket so that it is covered by 10-25 cm of water. Feed during the growing season with a proprietary aquatic fertiliser at the manufacturer's recommended rate. Ideal for ponds in containers and other small ponds.
PruningDeadhead and remove yellow leaves regularly
PropagationPropagate by division of rhizomes or offsets in summer, place pots in shallow water until established
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to water-lily beetle, water lily aphid, brown china-mark moth and false leaf-mining midge
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to crown rot, brown spot and water lily leaf spot