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Nymphaea tetragona (Chinese waterlily)
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2 hours care
per year
per year
0.1m
Max height
Max height
0.4m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Nymphaea tetragona
Other names
Chinese waterlily, Pygmy waterlily, Chinese water lily, Pygmy water lily, Nymphaea pygmaea, Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Alba', Finnish waterlily, Small white waterlily
Genus
Nymphaea Nymphaea
Species
N. tetragona - N. tetragona is an aquatic perennial with floating, ovate, purple-blotched, dark green leaves and fragrant, cup-shaped, semi-double to double, white flowers with yellow stamens.
Nymphaea tetragona is: Deciduous
Habit
Mat Forming
Flower
White in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green, Mottled, Purple in Spring; Purple, Mottled, Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green, Mottled, Purple in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Waterlily Pests (beetle, aphid, leaf-mining midges) Waterlily Pests (beetle, aphid, leaf-mining midges)
Crown rot , Nymphaea leaf (brown) spot , Water lily leaf spot Crown rot , Nymphaea leaf (brown) spot , Water lily leaf spot
General care
Pruning
Deadhead flowers. Remove yellow leaves as necessary.
Propagation methods
Division, Offsets
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Where to grow
Nymphaea tetragona (Chinese waterlily) will reach a height of 0.1m and a spread of 0.4m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Low Maintenance, Aquatic
Cultivation
Grow in still water in full sun in a small pond. Plant in loam in a basket covered with a layer of pea-shingle. Place basket 15-25 below the surface of the water initially, moving to 30-50cm once growth is established. Feed throughout the growing season
Soil type
Loamy, Clay
Soil drainage
Pond/In water
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
Botanical name
Nymphaea tetragona
Other names
Chinese waterlily, Pygmy waterlily, Chinese water lily, Pygmy water lily, Nymphaea pygmaea, Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Alba', Finnish waterlily, Small white waterlily
Genus
Nymphaea Nymphaea
Species
N. tetragona - N. tetragona is an aquatic perennial with floating, ovate, purple-blotched, dark green leaves and fragrant, cup-shaped, semi-double to double, white flowers with yellow stamens.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Mat Forming
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Colour
Flower
White in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green, Mottled, Purple in Spring; Purple, Mottled, Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green, Mottled, Purple in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Waterlily Pests (beetle, aphid, leaf-mining midges)
Specific diseases
Crown rot , Nymphaea leaf (brown) spot , Water lily leaf spot
General care
Pruning
Deadhead flowers. Remove yellow leaves as necessary.
Propagation methods
Division, Offsets
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Nymphaea tetragona (Chinese waterlily) will reach a height of 0.1m and a spread of 0.4m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Low Maintenance, Aquatic
Cultivation
Grow in still water in full sun in a small pond. Plant in loam in a basket covered with a layer of pea-shingle. Place basket 15-25 below the surface of the water initially, moving to 30-50cm once growth is established. Feed throughout the growing season
Soil type
Loamy, Clay
Soil drainage
Pond/In water
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 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: | Loamy, Clay | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Pond/In water | 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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