Hardy Water Lily (Nymphaea ‘Pygmaea Helvola’)

Hardy Water Lily

Features and Characteristics

Nymphaea is a genus of about 50 species of herbaceous aquatic perennials found worldwide that are grown for their spectacular flowers. Winter-hardy water lilies are usually day-flowering and have flowers that float on the water. Tropical water lilies can be either day-flowering or night-flowering and generally their flowers extend above the water.

Genus name comes from the Greek word nymphaia referring to a water nymph.

‘Pygmaea Helvola’ is a miniature yellow waterlily which typically spreads only 1-2′. Rounded, speckled, greenish leaves (to 4″ across) float on the water surface. Dainty, cup-shaped, semi-double flowers (only 1-2″ diameter) feature upward-curving yellow petals and a central mass of darker yellow stamens. Flowers bloom continuously from summer into fall. Each flower appears on or just above the water surface, opening in the morning and closing at night, and blooms for about 5 days.

Care and Maintenance

Easily grown in wet soil in still water in full sun to part shade. Full sun may be best, but plants will usually flower with as little as three hours of sun per day. Plant rhizomes horizontally in spring with bud end up in containers submerged in ponds or water gardens where the water is 12-48” deep. When planted in containers, plants can be more easily moved later on if desired. Rhizomes may be planted directly in the muddy bottom of a pond. Hardy water lilies will overwinter without difficulty in the St. Louis area, whether growing in ponds or in water gardens, as long as the water does not freeze to the bottom. If necessary, however, rhizomes grown in containers may easily be lifted and overwintered in a cool frost-free root cellar or garage where winter temperatures preferably remain in the 40-45 degree F. range.

Hardy Water Lily (Nymphaea ‘Pygmaea Helvola’) Requirements

Hardiness zone	4 - 10
Sun light	Full Sun To Part Shade
Water	Wet
Maintenance	Low

Common Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Leaf mining midges and aphids can be troublesome in some areas.

Uses

Miniature water lily is perhaps best grown in tub gardens and tabletop containers. Also may be used in small ponds or small water gardens.

Hardy Water Lily (Nymphaea ‘Pygmaea Helvola’) Details

Common name	Hardy Water Lily
Botanical name	Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Helvola'
Plant type	Herbaceous Perennial
Family	Nymphaeaceae
Hardiness zone	4 - 10
Water	Wet
Maintenance	Low
Flower color	Yellow
Flowering period	June - Frost
Height	0.25 To 0.25 Feet
Width	1 - 2 Ft.