Nymphaea lotus (T/N)
Egyptian waterlily
A tropical, deciduous aquatic perennial with oval-shaped, green to reddish-brown leaves with purple spots. Fragrant, star-shaped white flowers with yellow centres appear from summer through until the autumn. Tropical waterlillies can be grown in milder areas within the UK but should be lifted and stored over winter in a warm greenhouse
Other common names
Egyptian lotusEgyptian water lily
see moreEgyptian white lotus
Indian bean
Indian lotus
Indian water lily
sacred bean
sacred lotus
sacred water lily
white lotus of the Nile
Hungarian lotus
Hungarian waterlily
Synonyms
Nymphaea thermalis
Size
Time to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Red Brown Purple | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White Yellow | Green Red Brown Purple | ||
| Autumn | White Yellow | Green Red Brown Purple | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Nymphaeaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- 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
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 15-25cm of water; as the plants establish gradually lower the plants to a depth of 50-70cm. Feed during the growing season with aquatic fertiliser at the manufacturer's recommended rate. Lift and store in a warm greenhouse over winter. See waterlily cultivation for more advice
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
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
Deadhead and remove yellow leaves regularly
Pests
May be susceptible to brown china-mark moth, false leaf-mining midge, water lily beetle and water lily aphid. See waterlily pests for more details
Diseases
May be susceptible to brown spot, crown rot and water lily leaf spot
Get involved
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