Nuphar lutea Care Guide
Nuphar lutea is a European yellow pond lily with floating leaves and yellow flowers, suited to ponds and large coldwater tanks.
Overview
Nuphar lutea, the yellow water-lily, is a rhizomatous aquatic perennial native to temperate and subtropical Europe, northwest Africa and western Asia. It produces broad floating leaves and solitary, fragrant yellow flowers. It is a classic plant for ponds and large coldwater tanks rather than a small planted aquarium.
Taxonomy
- Family: Nymphaeaceae
- Genus: Nuphar
- Scientific name: Nuphar lutea
- Common synonyms: Yellow Pond Lily, Yellow Water-lily
Habitat
The species grows in shallow lakes, ponds, swamps, river and stream margins, canals and ditches, across alkaline to acidic waters and from sea level up to around 3,000 m elevation. It tolerates water depths up to about 5 m and produces both submerged and floating leaves. Floating leaves are broadly elliptic to ovate, 16-30 cm long, with a deep basal sinus. The plant is strongly cold-hardy across its northern range.
Tank requirements
- Placement: background, rooted with floating leaves
- Temperature: 8-24 °C (46-75 °F)
- pH: 6.0-8.0
- GH: 4-20 °dGH
- Lighting: high
- CO2: not required
- Spread / height: large; floating leaves reach the surface
Growth and propagation
Nuphar lutea grows from a stout, branching, spongy rhizome 3-8 cm wide that supports vegetative spread. It is a medium-growing plant propagated by rhizome and division. Because of its size and need for surface access, it is intended for ponds and large display tanks.