Nymphaea
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Leuconymphaea
- Ondinea
- Description
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Water lilies are a group of aquatic plants containing about 70 species in the waterlily family (Nymphaeaceae). They are native to many countries of the world and range from being ornamentals to weeds. The genus name is Latin for "water lily."
They will grow in water from 3 inches to 2 feet deep depending on their size. The spread is variable from 2 feet to about 12 feet. They prefer loamy soil with a neutral pH in non-moving or slow-moving water. Most prefer full sun, but some will tolerate some shade. They are heavy feeders so use a fertilizer appropriate for water lilies and follow container directions. Viviparous water lilies form plantlets attached to the mother plant and are propagated from these. If rhizomatous or tuberous roots are present, they can be divided in spring for propagation
The flowers are showy in various colors and often fragrant with showy lily pads that can be green to mottled. Flowers can be floating or held above the leaves. There are three main types of ornamental water lilies:
- Hardy: These water lilies go dormant in winter and will survive if the rhizomes are planted below the freeze line. Most are day-blooming and come in red, white, pink, yellow, peach and orange. The pads are thicker with smooth edges and are green to lightly mottled. Flowers tend to be smaller and are borne at the water's surface (appearing to float on the water) though some will hold the flower above the water..
- Tropical Night Blooming: Tropical water lilies are treated as annuals in temperate locations and generally have larger, more fragrant flowers in a larger variety of colors than hardy water lilies. The lily pads tend to be thinner with wavy to frilly edges and are more colorful. The night-blooming lilies open in the evening and close by mid to late morning of the following day.
- Tropical Day Blooming: These water lilies open from 7:30 to 9:30 am and close between 4:30 pm and just before sunset.
Use these plants in a water garden, pond, or container. Larger plants need larger water gardens or ponds, while small ones do well in containers.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Watch for crown rot, waterlily aphids, waterlily beetles, midges, and leaf spot
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Hardy Group, Tropical Day Blooming Group, Tropical Night Blooming Group
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Hardy Group, Tropical Day Blooming Group, Tropical Night Blooming Group
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Nymphaea
- Family:
- Nymphaeaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Tannins extracted from rhizomes are used in dyeing wool a purple-black or brown
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, Austria
- Distribution:
- Most of the world
- Wildlife Value:
- Water lily leaves provide a landing pad for thirsty bees while offering shelter for aquatic wildlife beneath the surface. The shade cast from the leaves also helps to prevent the growth of algae.
- Edibility:
- In some parts of the world the leaves and flowers are eaten in moderation.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 10 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Water Plant
- Habit/Form:
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The capsule starts out green and dries to brown when the three chambers split open to release seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are up to 12 inches across and come in various colors. Many will bloom throughout the season.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The lily pads can be small to large and come in green to variegated with cream or red. Margins can be entire, frilly or wavy
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems can be green to reddish
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Pond
- Landscape Theme:
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Frogs
- Reptiles
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
