Egyptian blue water lily
Nymphaea nouchali
USDA zones10 to 12
SunNeeds full sun (6+ hours)
WaterHandles moist to wet soil
Size9 to 12 inches tall6 to 8 feet wide
- Bloom season
- Summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- Blue
- Soil types
- Loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Notes
Egyptian blue water lily (Nymphaea nouchali) is a perennial for low maintenance water gardens and rain gardens. It grows outdoors year-round in USDA zone 10 and warmer, down to about 30°F (-1°C). In colder areas, grow it as a houseplant or bring it indoors for winter. This plant likes full sun and moist to wet, loamy or clay soil. Its fragrant blue flowers open from early to late summer and again in early autumn. The evergreen leaves float on the water and can spread 72 to 96 inches, so give it room.
Pairs well with Golden club, Thalia, and Papyrus.
Native range
Northern and tropical Africa.