Nuphar lutea

RHS Plant Profile
yellow waterlily

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yellow waterlily RHS

Other common names

bobbins, brandy bottle, can dock, clot, clote, lili-ddŵr felen

Plants for pollinators
Aquatic
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An aquatic plant with leathery leaves, slightly oval in shape, to 40cm across. Yellow, cupped flowers are borne on stalks rising above the water from early summer to early autumn; the plant gets one of its common names, "brandy bottle" from their scent

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Nymphaeaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Submerged, Floating
Genus
Nuphar are deciduous submerged aquatic perennials with ovate or rounded floating leaves and solitary, globose flowers held just above the water surface
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
E USA, W Indies, N Africa, Eurasia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Prefers sun or partial shade and thrives in still or slow-running fresh water to a depth of 2-5m. Has the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well. See aquatic weeds and pond plants for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free