Nymphaea
Waterlily, Water lily, Indian lotus
- Height × spread
- 0.05m – 0.15m × 0.3m – 2m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are over 50 species of water lily. These include forms that are grown in tropical conditions, and the hardy ones that are commonly used to ornament ponds, lakes and even large tubs. When choosing water lilies it is important to buy the right plant for the environment in which it is to be grown. Miniature or dwarf varieties should be chosen where water is only 15cm in depth. Large cultivars can be chosen where water is 1.2 metres or more in depth. The majority of water lilies are grown in water that is between 45cm and 75cm in depth. Water lilies are grown in containers that are submerged in water. Water lilies like still water in a sunny, or largely sunny situation. The tropical water lilies are exotic and eye-catching beauties. They cannot survive winter out of doors. For information - the giant water lily that a child can stand on is called Victoria amazonica.
- Flower colour
- Orange, Pink, Red, White, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green, Purple
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Prostrate
- Height
- 0.05m – 0.15m
- Spread
- 0.3m – 2m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Water garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Any
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Water depth
- Varieties differ
- Use for
- Butterfly attraction
- Hazards
- No
AutumnNow
Autumn · Planting
Lift before winter
Take the tubers from the water during autumn, and store them in damp sand where the temperature never falls below 10C for the winter.
Spring
Spring · Outdoors
Feed with aquatic plant food
As the plant is grown in water, feed with an aquatic feed as directed on the packet. Do not exceed the amounts given as this can affect the water.
Spring · Planting
Divide & repot in Spring
Repot in spring at which time the tubers can be divided as required. The leaves stand vertically out of the water when the plant needs dividing. When replanting water lilies, gradually sink them deeper in the water as they develop.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Plant in water
The plant naturally grows in water and should always have its feet in water.
Compost · Planting
Compost for aquatic plants
Use aquatic plant compost for pond plants (other composts contain nitrates that cause problems in ponds). Pond plants are generally planted in baskets and weighted to keep in position.
Found in
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