Nymphaea alba (H)
white waterlily
A vigorous aquatic perennial with rounded dark green leaves, often red-green beneath, to 30cm across, and cup-shaped, lightly scented white flowers 20cm wide, with prominent yellow stamens, becoming star-shaped with maturity are produced in summer
Other common names
bobbinscambie leaf
see morecan dock
common water lily
European white lily
flutterdock
platter dock
Size
Time to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Poorly–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Nymphaeaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Submerged, Floating
- 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
- Name status
Correct
- Horticultural Group
- Hardy Nymphaea are aquatic perennials with rounded floating leaves and showy flowers on or just above the water, with numerous narrow petals and conspicuous stamens, in white and shades of yellow, pink and red
- Plant range
- Europe
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow 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 15-25 cm of water, as the plants establish lower the plants to twice the initial planting depth. Feed during the growing season with a proprietary aquatic fertiliser at the manufacturer's recommended rate. Has the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well
Propagation
Propagate by division of rhizomes or offsets in summer, place pots in shallow water until established
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildlife gardens
Pruning
Deadhead and remove yellow leaves regularly
Pests
Susceptible to water-lily beetle, water lily aphid, brown china-mark moth and false leaf-mining midge
Diseases
May be affected by crown rot, brown spot and water lily leaf spot
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.