Nymphoides peltata

RHS Plant Profile
yellow floating heart
yellow floating heart RHS 2002

Other common names

dwarf waterlily, fringe, fringed buckbean, fringed water lily, small yellow water lily, water fringe

Synonyms

Villarsia nymphoides
Limnanthemum nymphoides
Villarsia nymphoides peltata

Aquatic

A vigorous aquatic perennial with rounded bright green, mottled leaves and long-stalked, bright yellow flowers, to 2.5cm across, in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Menyanthaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Submerged, Floating
Genus
Nymphoides are deciduous, rhizomatous aquatic perennials with slender rhizomes bearing kidney-shaped or rounded floating leaves and solitary yellow or white flowers with fringed petals, held just above the water surface
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Eurasia

How to Grow

Cultivation

This plant is listed on Schedule 9 of the UK Wildlife & Countryside Act as an invasive non-native species. Although not banned from sale, it is an offence to plant or cause these to grow in the wild in NORTHERN IRELAND and the REPUBLIC OF IRELAND. Gardeners possessing them should undertake measures to control them. See RHS advice on invasive non-native species for further information

Propagation

Please see cultivation notes

Pests

May be susceptible to water-lily beetle, water lily aphid, brown china-mark moth and false leaf-mining midge

Diseases

Generally-disease free