Nymphaea alba WHITE WATER LILY (15 seeds)

white water lily, Nymphaea alba in Latin, is a beautiful hardy aquatic plant resembling the lotus. Native to Eurasia, this perennial herbaceous plant belongs to the Nymphaeaceae family. It is often associated with purity, serenity, and beauty, representing a powerful symbol in many cultures, particularly within spiritual concepts.

Nymphaea alba seeds are small compared to those of the lotus; they are round, smooth, and black in color. They measure 2 millimeters in diameter and weigh a few decigrams.

Its leaves are rounded, floating, and measure approximately 15 cm in diameter.

The flowers are solitary, white, and bloom on the water's surface during the summer period.

Its root is a large rhizome, similar to that of the white lotus, which develops year after year.

- Use:

The Sleeping Queen of Calm Waters

Considered since antiquity as the absolute symbol of purity, the White Water Lily is the magical plant of ponds and fairy tales.
Seeing its large, snow-white flowers with golden hearts emerge, delicately resting on a carpet of round leaves, brings immediate serenity.
Starting its cultivation is a wonderful project to transform any water feature into a living painting worthy of the greatest impressionist gardens.

The Natural Guardian of Your Pond's Balance

Did you know that the White Water Lily is the best ally for water clarity? By spreading its large floating foliage on the surface, this excellent aquatic plant creates natural shade that limits the proliferation of green algae and keeps the water cool during heatwaves.
It is the essential plant for aquatic landscaping, offering a shaded and secure refuge for fish and the garden's small wildlife.

The Genius of Diurnal Botanical Mechanics

The White Water Lily hides a fascinating rhythm of life: its flowers open precisely with the first rays of the sun and close tightly in the late afternoon, protecting their precious pollen for the next day.
Very hardy and easy to install in a perforated basket at the bottom of a pond or a large container on a sunny terrace, this aquatic perennial survives winters effortlessly to be reborn even more majestically every spring.

- Sowing and Seed Germination:

• The ideal period to sow white water lily is starting in May.
• Sow the seeds in a pot perforated with small holes using a well-draining substrate and sand to prevent the soil from floating to the surface when submerged.
• Bury the seeds under 0.5 cm of substrate, then add water progressively.
• Germination will begin 3 to 5 weeks after planting.
• Once the plants are well-developed, place them in water in a frost-free location during their first year.

- Soil Type / Substrate:

Use a substrate of equal parts garden soil and sand. Also, add a few clay pebbles to the mix and at the bottom of the pot.

- Exposure / Light:

Place the pot in a full sun position in the pond to ensure proper flowering.

- Cultivation Temperature / Hardiness:

It grows very well in temperatures ranging between 20 and 30°C. It is very hardy and will easily withstand winter temperatures. It is important to plant it deep enough (at least 50 to 80 cm deep) so that its root system remains below the frost line.

- Multiplication / Reproduction:

There are two effective ways to reproduce it: either by sowing seeds or by dividing its rhizomes in early spring.

- Maintenance:

Be sure to cut back yellowing leaves and faded flowers starting at the end of summer.

This article was written by Julien on 07/11/2026.