Nymphoides indica
water snowflake
Tropical Asia, Africa, and northern Australia
Overview
Nymphoides indica is an aquatic perennial that roots in mud and sends floating, heart-shaped to round leaves 2-10 inches (5-25 cm) across to the water surface on long flexible stalks. The leaves resemble those of a small waterlily, with green upper surfaces and often purplish undersides. White flowers about 0.8-1.2 inches (20-30 mm) across rise just above the water, each with five petals densely fringed with white hairs and a yellow centre. Flowers open for a single day and are produced in succession through the warm months. The plant spreads by creeping rhizomes and by plantlets that form at the leaf-stalk junction, and can cover the water surface in still, shallow water. It grows in water 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) deep and dies back in cold conditions. In warm climates the spread is rapid and can crowd small ponds, displacing submerged plants.
Native Range
Native to tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and northern Australia, including Queensland and the Northern Territory. Grows in still and slow-moving fresh water such as ponds, lagoons, billabongs, and swamp margins at low elevations.Suggested Uses
Grown in ornamental ponds, water bowls, and aquariums in full sun, in submerged containers of at least 2 gallons (8 L). Suited to warm-climate water gardens, where the floating leaves shade the water surface and reduce algae. The rapid spread can overwhelm small ponds and is restricted by container growing.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 4"
Width/Spread3' - 6'
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Bloom Information
Flowers through the warm months, mainly November to April in its native range, with new blooms opening through the season. Each flower lasts a single day, and a clump produces flowers in succession over several months. Flowering slows or stops in cool water below about 60°F (16°C).
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun in still or slow-moving fresh water 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) deep, rooted in heavy loam or aquatic potting soil. Plants need warm water above about 60°F (16°C) for active growth and flowering, and slow or die back in cold conditions. Spread is rapid in warm, still water, where rhizomes and plantlets can cover the surface and shade out submerged plants. Growing the plant in a submerged pot limits its spread within a pond. Algae compete with new growth in nutrient-rich water. Foliage yellows and breaks down in autumn as temperatures fall.Pruning
Excess leaves and runners are thinned through the growing season to keep the plant within its area and maintain open water. Plantlets are removed and replanted or discarded to control spread. Dead leaves are lifted from the water in autumn to limit nutrient buildup.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
fall
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons