Yellow floating heart (Nymphoides peltata)

Yellow floating heart

Features and Characteristics

Nymphoides peltata, commonly called yellow floating heart or water-fringe, is a rhizomatous, floating-leaf, aquatic perennial that looks like a small water lily (Nymphoides means resembling Nymphea). It is native to Europe and Asia, but has naturalized in a number of states in the U.S. from New England to Texas plus Arizona, California and Washington. It features ovate to rounded, flat, heart-shaped, medium green leaves (to 4”) that cover the water surface somewhat like water lily. Plants spread rapidly by underwater stems (runners). Star-shaped bright yellow flowers (to 3/4” across) with five-lobed corollas bloom on long stalks 2-3” above the leaves in summer. Flower lobes are fringed. Flowers last only one day. Yellow floating heart also resembles Hydrocleys (see Hydrocleys nymphoides).

Genus name of Nymphoides means resembling Nymphaea (water lily), but these two genuses are in different families.

Specific epithet means shield-like in reference to the leaves.

Care and Maintenance

Best grown in 1-2’ of still water in organically rich sandy bottom loams or in containers placed at the bottom of the water body. Plants grow best in full sun. Plants spread by runners. Although plants may be propagated by seed, the easiest method is by dividing off plantlets. Plants will overwinter in the St. Louis area at the bottom of a pond in somewhat the same manner as do hardy water lilies. In areas with mild winter conditions, plants can spread somewhat aggressively to the point of crowding out native species.

Yellow floating heart (Nymphoides peltata) Requirements

Hardiness zone	5 - 10
Sun light	Full sun
Water	Wet
Maintenance	Low

Common Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Uses

Floating water lily-like plant that fits well into ponds or water gardens.

Yellow floating heart (Nymphoides peltata) Details

Common name	Yellow floating heart
Botanical name	Nymphoides peltata
Plant type	Herbaceous perennial
Family	Menyanthaceae
Hardiness zone	5 - 10
Water	Wet
Maintenance	Low
Flower color	Yellow
Flowering period	May - September
Height	0.25 to 0.50 feet
Width	1 - 3 ft.