Nymphaea

( nim - FEE - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Nymphaea, or Water Lily, is a genus of aquatic plants that love full sun and need to be located in a pool of fresh water. They grow with their roots submerged in underwater soil, and their leaves float on the surface. Flowers are showy and can either float on top of the water or raise above it.

Nymphaea Species and Varietals

Nymphaea is a genus in the plant family Nymphaeaceae and includes 65 distinct species. The genus Nymphaea can be divided into two categories: Hardy Types and Tropical Types. Water Lily grows best in 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 Africa, temperate zones in Asia, Europe and tropical Africa. They grow in water that is between 12 and 60 inches deep, and prefer to grow in large ponds or lakes. Leaves can reach up to 12 inches in diameter, and flowers are white with many small stamens inside.

Nymphaea elegans (Tropical Royalblue Waterlily)
These plants are native to the southeastern United States, Mexico and the Bahamas. Flowers are fragrant and whitish-blue/purple. Upper sides of leaves are green, and undersides are purple. 

Nymphaea gigantea (Giant Waterlily, Blue Waterlily)
These perennials are native to northern and eastern Australia, and have been widely cultivated elsewhere. It grows in permanent and semi-permanent bodies of water, and grows from rhizome. Flowers are large and solitary, up to 10 inches in diameter. They are held upright on flowering stems that 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.

Nymphaea lukei
Endemic to Western Australia, these plants can either be annuals or perennials (depending on the growing conditions), and produce fragrant flowers that extend up 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.

Nymphaea mexicana (Yellow Water Lily, Mexican Water Lily, Banana Water Lily)
These plants are known as an invasive species in many areas outside of its native range (southern U.S. and Mexico). These plants produce spongy creeping stolons that resemble miniature bananas, hence its common name Banana Water Lily. Flowers are yellow and bloom in summertime (as well as spring and fall in warm climates). 

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 America (and some areas in South America). Flowers are white, and stamens are yellow and prominent.

Nymphaea pubescens (Hairy Water Lily, Pink Water-Lily)
These plants 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. These plants are commonly cultivated as garden ornamentals and aquarium plants, and prefer non-acidic waters that stay above 59 degrees Fahrenheit. Flower color varies, and can be white, pink, mauve, or purple depending on the cultivar grown.

Nymphaea rubra
These plants are native to 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. Sepals are purple-red, and flowers are pleasantly fragrant.

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

Caring for Nymphaea

Tropical Types of Water Lily
These will bloom later in the summertime but the blooms last longer, usually until the first frost of the year. Bury the rhizome 6 inches deep in a submerged plot of soil in a horizontal position with the budding end up. Tropical types will go dormant in wintertime, but usually won't survive through to the next spring unless protected. Tubers can be overwintered inside in damp sand.
Hardy Types of Water Lily
These plants 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 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. Blooms will pop occasionally throughout the warmer months, and the plants will go dormant in fall and reappear the next springtime.

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

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A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

Wikipedia: Nymphaea
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 457, Nymphaea
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