Nymphaea

( nim - FEE - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Nymphaea, commonly called Water Lily, is a genus of aquatic plants that love full sun and typically need to be grown in a pool of fresh water. They grow with their roots submerged in silt at the bottoms of pools, and their leaves float on the surface. Fragrant flowers are showy and can either float just on top of the water or raise well above the surface. Use these flowers to dot the surface of ponds or pools or keep them in aquariums or above-ground container/tub pools on patios. Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape, as ingestion of large amounts of plant material of some species can be toxic.

Nymphaea Species and Varietals

Nymphaea is the type genus in the plant family Nymphaeaceae and includes 65 distinct species. Despite their similar appearance and aquatic habitats, they are in a different plant family than Nelumbo (Sacred Lotus). The genus name refers to the nymphs of Greek and Latin mythology, minor female deities depicted as nature-maidens. Water Lily grows best in USDA hardiness zones 3-11 or Sunset growing zones 1-24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Nymphaea alba (White Waterlily, European White Water Lily, White Nenuphar)
These flowers are native to North and tropical regions of Africa, temperate zones in Asia, and Europe. They grow in water that is between 12 and 60 inches deep, and prefer large ponds or lakes. Leaves can reach up to 12 inches in diameter, and flowers are white with many small stamens inside. The young leaf and peduncle can be eaten as vegetables, and the root is edible, as well. This is the type species of the genus Nymphaea, and is considered invasive in the Pacific Northwest and British Colombia.

Nymphaea elegans (Tropical Royalblue Waterlily, Tropical Blue Waterlily)
These plants are native to the southeastern United States (Florida, Louisiana and Texas), Mexico and the Bahamas. It is an introduced species in Argentina and Colombia. Flowers are fragrant and whitish-blue/purple. Upper sides of leaves are green, and submerged sides are purple. This species is considered invasive in Colombia and Argentina.

Nymphaea gigantea (Giant Waterlily, Blue Waterlily, Australian Water Lily)
These perennials are native to northern and eastern Australia, and are widely cultivated around the globe. Plants grow in permanent and semi-permanent bodies of water, and emerge from a rhizome root. Purple-blue flowers are large and solitary, up to 10 inches in diameter. They are held at the tip of flowering stems which extend up to 20 inches above the water's surface.

Nymphaea lotus (White Egyptian Lotus, Tiger Lotus, White Lotus, Egyptian Water Lily)
These perennial plants are native to various places in East Africa and Southeast Asia. They produce white flowers (sometimes tinged with pink hues) which rise above the water's surface. Plants prefer clear, warm, still water that is slightly acidic. These lilies have the potential to reduce evaporation by up to 18 percent on most summer days. They can also be used as freshwater aquarium plants. White Lotus is considered invasive in the Americas, Asia, and Egypt. It also produces plant parts that are toxic to humans and dogs if ingested in large quantities.

Nymphaea lukei (Western Australian Blue Water Lily)
Endemic to Western Australia, these rare plants can either be annuals or perennials (depending on the climate), and produce fragrant flowers that extend to about a foot above the water's surface. Sepals are green with blue margins, and blooms are white to blue. Flowering occurs towards the end of the wet season and extends into summertime. The species was first described in 2011.

Nymphaea mexicana (Yellow Water Lily, Mexican Water Lily, Banana Water Lily, Banana Lily, Sun-Lotus)
These plants are known as an invasive species in many areas outside of their native range (southern U.S. and Mexico). These plants produce spongy, creeping stolons that resemble miniature bananas, hence their common name Banana Water Lily. Flowers are yellow and bloom in summertime (as well as spring and fall in warm climates). Can be kept in up to 13 feet of water. This species is considered highly invasive in California (United States), Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Iberian Peninsula, and British Colombia.

Nymphaea odorata (American White Waterlily, Fragrant Water-Lily, Beaver Root, Sweet-Scented Water lily)
These aquatic plants grow from branched rhizomes, and can be found in shallow lakes, ponds, and permanent slow-moving waters in North and South America. Flowers are white, and stamens are yellow and prominent. Seeds, flowers, and roots can be eaten raw or cooked. This species produces plant parts that are toxic to humans and dogs if ingested in large quantities and is considered invasive in the western United States and Alaska.

Nymphaea pubescens (Hairy Water Lily, Pink Water-Lily, Indian Red Water-Lily, Red Water Lily)
Plants in this species are commonly seen in shallow lakes and ponds in temperate and tropical Asia. They are also found in great numbers in northeastern Australia and Papua New Guinea. Hairy Water Lilies are commonly cultivated as garden ornamentals and aquarium plants, and prefer non-acidic waters that stay above 59 degrees Fahrenheit. Flowers can be white, pink, mauve, or purple depending on the cultivar. This species is considered highly invasive in India, Sri Lanka, Florida and California in the United States, Central America, South America, Australia, and several Pacific Islands.

Nymphaea rubra (Red Water Lily, Indian Red Waterlily, Dwarf Water Lily)
This species is native to an area that stretches from Sri Lanka and northeastern India to western and central Malesia. It has been introduced to many neighboring areas. Leaves are bronze-red to dark green in color with purple undersides; they have very prominent venation. Purple-red flowers are pleasantly fragrant. Good for aquarium cultivation. This species is considered highly invasive in India, Cuba, Guyana, Suriname, Hungary, and southeastern China.

Nymphaea thermarum (Pygmy Rwandan Waterlily, Miniature Rwandan Water Lily)
These plants are endemic to Rwanda, and were once thought to be extinct due to habitat destruction. This is the smallest water lily species in the world, and produces bright green lily pads and small white flowers with yellow stamens held just above the foliage. These plants grow well in mud, and take nicely to container cultivation.

Caring for Nymphaea

Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape, as ingestion of large amounts of plant material of some species can be toxic. The first step in caring for your Water Lily is to choose the right one for your climate. There are two types of water lilies, those that do well in tropical climates, and those that are considered hardy and do well in temperate climates. Both varieties are typically grown from rhizome. Many beginner Water Lotus growers will choose to start with a hardy type, as they are generally easier to grow. The two classifications are outlined below along with planting instructions:

Tropical Types of Water Lily
These Water Lilies will bloom later in the summertime but their blooms will last longer, typically until the first frost of the year comes around. Bury the rhizome 6 inches deep in a submerged plot of soil in a horizontal position with the budding end up. Tropical types of Water Lily will go dormant in wintertime, and usually won't survive through to the next spring unless protected. Tubers can be overwintered indoors in damp sand to increase chances of survival in cooler climates. Tropical Water Lilies typically have larger flowers on taller stems, and also have larger floating lily pads than hardy types. Their flowers tend to be more fragrant, and can be day-blooming or night-blooming.

Hardy Types of Water Lily
These day-blooming flowers are easy to grow for beginners and can be planted from February through to October in mild-winter areas. In cooler climates, plant in April through July. Bury the rhizome 6 inches deep in a submerged plot of soil in a horizontal position with the budding end up. Feed with a controlled-release fertilizer tablet at the time of planting and once a month going forward. Prune off spent leaves and blossoms as they fade, and in cold weather, protect the plants by covering your pond or by adding more water to it for increased insulation. Blooms will pop occasionally throughout the warmer months, and the plants will go dormant in fall and reappear the next springtime.

Place your Nymphaea in an area of the garden that receives between 4 and 8 hours of sunlight each day. Some species will not flower unless they are getting at least six hours of direct sun. Plants can be grown either indoors with a grow light or outdoors in sunlight. Outdoors, these plants are typically grown in tubs, either submerged in a larger pond environment or on their own on a patio. They are best planted in a special aquatic soil, as their roots are always submerged. Several sheets of newspaper, landscape fabric, or burlap can be utilized at the bottom of the container as a liner to prevent soil from escaping through any cracks or openings. Plant rhizome roots with their pointed end up towards the middle of the pot, and cover soil with gravel or a thin layer of sand.

If growing Water Lilies within a larger water feature, carefully submerge the container into the body of water, keeping it at a shallow depth and gradually increasing the depth as the plant continues to put on growth. If new leaves do not appear within about two weeks, the tub may have been planted to deep in the pond. In fall, trim back any dead foliage and let them die back to the bottom of the pond. In cold-winter areas, lift the lilies at this time and keep them somewhere frost-free over the cold months. After about five years of growth, Water Lilies will need to be divided and replanted.

Growing Nymphaea in Containers or Indoors
It is possible to grow these plants indoors, either as members of aquariums or alone in decorative bowls. For those gardeners who would like to cultivate Water Lilies but do not have a pond at their disposal, a large wine/whiskey barrel or planter are fantastic alternatives for a water feature. The size of the container used will depend on the mature size of the Water Lily grown. It is possible to grow dwarf plants in containers that are as small as 12 inches across and 9 inches deep, but most will require much larger containers. Fill the base of the container with soil-based planting mix designed for use in aquariums, and place the rhizome at a 45 degree angle with the pointed end facing upwards. Then, fill the container with water to a depth of about six inches. As the plant grows, add more water as necessary to keep the pads floating. If plants fail to bloom, it is typically because they are not getting enough light. In spring and summer, fertilize with a tablet.

Propagation

Nymphaea, or Water Lily, plants are best propagated via seed. To propagate your Water Lily, follow the directions below:

Propagating Nymphaea by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded and have multiple chambers that hold seeds. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Nymphaea seeds are held inside of chambers.

Water Lily seeds are small and greenish-grey to brown in color.

Problems and Pests

Certain species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Nymphaea, or Water Lily, plants can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the garden: