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Nuphar lutea

yellow water-lily

Nymphaeaceae

Europe, North Africa, and western and central Asia

Attracts Pollinators Fragrant (light)

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterHigh

HardinessZones 4–9

Overview

Nuphar lutea is an aquatic perennial that grows from a thick rhizome anchored in the mud of ponds, lakes, and slow rivers, sending up leaves and flowers on long flexible stalks. The floating leaves are leathery, oval to heart-shaped, 4-16 inches (10-40 cm) long, with thinner translucent leaves also present below the surface. From early summer the plant produces yellow cup-shaped flowers 1.5-2.5 inches (4-6 cm) across, held just above the water on stout stalks and giving off a faint alcoholic scent. The flowers are followed by a flask-shaped green fruit, the source of the common name brandy-bottle. It roots in water 1-8 feet (0.3-2.5 m) deep and tolerates flowing water better than most water lilies. Plants spread by branching rhizomes to form large colonies. A limitation in smaller ponds is its vigor, as the spreading rhizomes and large leaves can cover the water surface and crowd out other aquatics.

Native Range

Nuphar lutea is native to Europe, North Africa, and western and central Asia. It grows widely in still and slow-moving fresh water throughout its range, from lowland ponds to the margins of large lakes and rivers.

Suggested Uses

Nuphar lutea is used in large ponds, lakes, and wildlife water features, particularly where water is too deep, shaded, or moving for ornamental water lilies. The floating leaves give shade and shelter for fish and aquatic invertebrates. It suits naturalistic and conservation plantings rather than small formal pools.

How to Identify

Identified by large leathery floating leaves and yellow cup-shaped flowers held above the water surface, unlike white water lilies (Nymphaea spp.), whose flowers float at the surface. The flask-shaped fruit and faint alcoholic scent of the flowers are characteristic. Thin, translucent submerged leaves are present beneath the floating ones.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2" - 6"

Width/Spread3' - 6'

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~14 weeks

Summer

Flowering occurs from early summer to early autumn, roughly June to September. Individual flowers open over several days and are pollinated by flies drawn to the alcoholic scent. The flask-shaped fruits ripen underwater after flowering.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam silt clay

Drainagewet

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Nuphar lutea grows in full sun to part shade in still or slow-moving fresh water 1-8 feet (0.3-2.5 m) deep, rooted in a rich muddy or silty bed. It tolerates a wide pH range from about 5.5 to 8.0 and copes with shade and moving water better than ornamental water lilies. The rhizome establishes in pond mud and needs no feeding in natural settings. Established colonies spread steadily and may need thinning in confined ponds. Leaves and stems die back in winter, with the rhizome overwintering in the substrate. New growth rises to the surface as the water warms in spring.

Pruning

Maintenance is limited to thinning the rhizomes and removing surplus leaves where the plant spreads too far in a pond. Yellowing leaves and spent flower stalks can be pulled out through the growing season. Thinning is done in summer to control the surface spread.