Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea
Common Names: Blue Egyptian Water Lily, Blue Lotus
Scientific Name: Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea 🌊🌸
Overview
This iconic aquatic plant is famous for its striking blue flowers and symbolic heritage in Egypt. Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea thrives in ponds and aquariums, adding both beauty and tranquility to water features. Its large, floating leaves provide shade and shelter for aquatic life.
Quick Tips
Start in shallow water (10–30 cm) for easier establishment.
Full sun exposure maximizes flower production ☀️.
Fertilise carefully — overfeeding can encourage algae growth.
Ideal for decorative ponds, aquascapes, or paludariums.
Key Features
Size: Leaves 15–30 cm; flowers 10–15 cm diameter
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast under optimal conditions
Growth Habit: Rhizomatous, spreads via underground rhizomes
Suitable Environments
Outdoor ponds 🌿
Large indoor aquariums (with enough surface area) 🐠
Paludariums
Substrate/Soil Options
Pond: Heavy loam or aquatic soil; avoid sandy or purely organic soils
Aquarium/Paludarium: Rich aquatic substrate; can be potted in clay pots sunk in substrate
Light Tolerance
Full sun (minimum 5–6 hours/day)
Tolerates partial shade but may reduce flowering
Temperature Tolerance
Ultimate Low: 15°C ❄️
Ultimate High: 35°C 🌞
Ideal: 22–28°C
Humidity Tolerance
Fully aquatic; humidity not a limiting factor
Watering
Keep submerged; shallow water 10–30 cm is ideal for growth
Ensure water is free from heavy chemical treatments
Feeding 🌱
Use slow-release aquatic fertilisers placed near rhizomes
Botaniqra Maintenance or Botaniqra RootForce (if starting young plants) are suitable
Avoid over-fertilisation to prevent algae blooms
Propagation
Rhizome division: Separate sections with healthy growth tips and replant
Seed propagation is possible but slow; requires warm, shallow water for germination
Common Problems
Yellowing leaves → usually due to nutrient deficiency
Algae overgrowth → excessive sunlight or overfeeding
Leaf melting → sudden temperature drops or poor water quality