Does it need full sun?

Yes, it blooms best with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.

Can I grow it in a small pot?

Yes, as long as the pot is wide enough to accommodate the spread and kept submerged.

Plant guide

Egyptian blue water lily.

Nymphaea nouchali

Pronounced nim-FEE-uh NOO-chal-ee

Also known as Blue Lotus, Cape Blue Waterlily, Cape Water Lily, Day Waterlily, Red and Blue Waterlily, Sada shapla

Nymphaea nouchali — Photo by Pete Woodall (CC BY) via gbif

This stunning aquatic plant is famous for its fragrant, star shaped flowers that float gracefully on the water surface. It thrives in warm, still ponds and holds significant cultural history in ancient civilizations. You'll love how it adds a touch of serenity to any water garden.

Another photo of Egyptian blue water lily — Photo by lejones417 (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Aquatic perennial
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 0 days
Mature size: 3 to 5 feet wide
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

Keep this lily in a sunny spot with still water to encourage consistent blooming. Watch for yellowing leaves or pests like aphids, and remove any decaying foliage to keep the water clean. Ensure the plant has enough space to spread its pads without overcrowding.

Watering: The plant must remain fully submerged in water at all times.
Feeding: Use specialized aquatic fertilizer tablets pushed into the soil near the roots during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim away dead or yellowing leaves and spent flowers to maintain plant health.
Repotting: Repot when the plant becomes root bound in its container to ensure continued vigor.
Soil: Heavy clay or aquatic potting mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 8.0
Temperature: 15 to 35°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years with proper division.
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the container drainage holes.
Noticeable decline in flower production.
The plant becomes crowded and lifts out of the soil.

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic, but ingestion of raw parts may cause mild stomach upset.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep small children away from deep water features where this plant grows to prevent drowning risks.
Contact allergens: There are no known significant skin irritants associated with this plant.
Airborne allergens: The pollen may cause mild respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals during peak bloom.
Edibility: While the rhizomes and seeds are sometimes consumed in traditional diets, they require thorough cooking to neutralize potential anti-nutrients.

How to identify it

Star shaped blue or violet flowers
Floating round leaves with wavy edges
Yellow centers on open blooms
Submerged tuberous root system

Height: 0.1 to 0.2m
Spread: 0.6 to 1.5m
Leaves: green, purple-tinged, deciduous
Flowers: blue, violet, white, 8 to 15cm
Fruit: green, brown, Late summer

Problems to watch for

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, division
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Overwintering: This tropical lily is not frost hardy and will not survive in a frozen pond. In cold climates, lift the rhizome before the water cools below about 15°C and store it in damp sand or water at around 10 to 15°C, or keep the container in a heated indoor tank. Ensure the rhizome does not dry out during the dormant period.
In containers: It is excellent for containers, provided you use a wide, shallow pot that can be submerged in at least 20 to 40 centimeters of water.

Rhizome Division

1. Remove the plant from its container in spring.
2. Cut the rhizome into sections, ensuring each has a growth bud.
3. Replant sections in fresh aquatic soil and submerge.

Ensure you provide enough space between plants to allow for adequate water circulation and prevent overcrowding.

Grows well with

Water Hyacinth · They share similar aquatic requirements and create a lush pond aesthetic.
Pickerelweed · This plant provides vertical contrast to the flat lily pads.

Similar species

Egyptian Lotus · It shares a similar appearance and blue coloration.
Fragrant Water Lily · It has a similar growth habit but is better suited for cooler climates.

Science

Family: Nymphaeaceae
Genus: Nymphaea
Order: Nymphaeales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southern and Southeast Asia
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered, though local populations are threatened by wetland habitat loss.

This plant survives by anchoring its roots in the mud of shallow ponds and extending its leaves to the surface to capture sunlight.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, provides shelter for aquatic life
Pollinators: bees, beetles
Uses: ornamental water gardens, traditional medicine, aquatic habitat restoration

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 9/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: Yes, it blooms best with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
Can I grow it in a small pot?: Yes, as long as the pot is wide enough to accommodate the spread and kept submerged.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Nymphaea comes from the Greek word for water nymphs, while nouchali is derived from a local name for the plant in its native range.

Good to know

The flowers open during the day and close at night.
It is often called the blue lotus, though it is a true water lily.
The leaves can float on the surface of the water due to air pockets.
It thrives in still or slow moving water bodies.
The plant is deeply symbolic in many South Asian cultures.

Also in

Deer-resistant plants

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.