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Nymphaea alba (White waterlily)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
0.1m
Max height
Max height
1m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Nymphaea alba
Other names
White waterlily, Waterlily alba
Genus
Nymphaea Nymphaea
Species
N. alba - N. alba is a wide spreading aquatic perennial with rounded leaves, bronze-tinted when new, and star-shaped, pure white flowers with yellow centres in summer.
Nymphaea alba is: Deciduous
Fragrance
Flower
Habit
Compact, Mat Forming
Flower
White, Pale-yellow in Summer
Foliage
Bronze-tinted, Green in Spring; Green in Summer; Green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Waterlily Pests (beetle, aphid, leaf-mining midges) Waterlily Pests (beetle, aphid, leaf-mining midges)
Nymphaea leaf (brown) spot , Crown rot , Water lily leaf spot Nymphaea leaf (brown) spot , Crown rot , Water lily leaf spot
General care
Propagation methods
Division, Offsets
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Where to grow
Nymphaea alba (White waterlily) will reach a height of 0.1m and a spread of 1m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Aquatic, Low Maintenance
Cultivation
Plant the Nymphaea in loam in a basket, covered with layer of pea-shingle. The basket should be placed approximately 15-25cm below the surface of the water initially, being moved down to 30-50cm once growth is established. Nymphaea dislike moving water.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Nymphaea alba
Other names
White waterlily, Waterlily alba
Genus
Nymphaea Nymphaea
Species
N. alba - N. alba is a wide spreading aquatic perennial with rounded leaves, bronze-tinted when new, and star-shaped, pure white flowers with yellow centres in summer.
Foliage
Deciduous
Fragrance
Flower
Habit
Compact, Mat Forming
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Colour
Flower
White, Pale-yellow in Summer
Foliage
Bronze-tinted, Green in Spring; Green in Summer; Green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Waterlily Pests (beetle, aphid, leaf-mining midges)
Specific diseases
Nymphaea leaf (brown) spot , Crown rot , Water lily leaf spot
General care
Propagation methods
Division, Offsets
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Nymphaea alba (White waterlily) will reach a height of 0.1m and a spread of 1m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Aquatic, Low Maintenance
Cultivation
Plant the Nymphaea in loam in a basket, covered with layer of pea-shingle. The basket should be placed approximately 15-25cm below the surface of the water initially, being moved down to 30-50cm once growth is established. Nymphaea dislike moving water.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Clay, Loamy | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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Designed by Mark Gregory. The highlight of the 2019 Welcome to Yorkshire show garden will be an authentically built canal with flowing water and genuine canal lock gates. read more
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