Alba Waterlily (Nymphaea alba)
| Size | 1 Ltr, 3 Ltr, 10 Ltr, 30 Ltr |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Water Lily |
| Sun / Shade | Full Sun |
| Flower Colour | White |
| Growth Rate | Vigorous |
| Native to UK | Yes |
Alba Waterlily (Nymphaea alba) is the UK’s native white waterlily, with large floating leaves and elegant white flowers. Its vigorous growth makes it ideal for shading and balancing larger ponds and lakes.
Price range: £24.50 through £148.50 (inc VAT)
Alba Water Lily (Nymphaea alba)
A native UK waterlily with elegant white flowers and large floating leaves, ideal for shading and naturally balancing larger ponds and lakes.
Alba Water Lily (Nymphaea alba) is the UK’s native white waterlily and the only native species of Nymphaea found here, making it a perfect choice for natural pond planting and wildlife focused water features. Known for its strong growth and broad floating leaves, this variety is particularly well suited to larger ponds and lakes where it can provide extensive surface coverage and help maintain a healthy aquatic environment.
This waterlily produces large, rounded green leaves that spread across the water surface, creating natural shade. This shading is essential for reducing sunlight penetration, which helps limit algae growth and keeps water temperatures stable during the warmer months. As a result, Alba Water Lily plays an important role in maintaining clear, balanced water conditions.
During the summer months, it produces classic white, bowl shaped flowers that open during the day in sunlight. While it is not as heavily flowering as some hybrid varieties, its blooms offer a timeless, understated beauty that suits natural pond settings perfectly. These flowers also attract pollinators, supporting biodiversity and enhancing the ecological value of your pond.
Alba Water Lily is a vigorous grower that establishes well and spreads over time. Its rhizomatous growth habit allows it to develop strong root systems, making it a reliable and long lasting addition to larger water bodies. Because of this, it is best suited to ponds with plenty of space and is not recommended for small ponds or container water features.
This variety is often used in natural landscaping projects, wildlife ponds and lake environments where a more traditional and balanced look is desired. It pairs well with other waterlilies, marginal plants and oxygenating plants to create a layered, healthy ecosystem.
Fully hardy in UK conditions, Alba Water Lily will return year after year with minimal maintenance. For pond owners looking to combine natural beauty, functionality and long term reliability, this is an excellent choice.
🇬🇧 UK-grown aquatic plant: Grown at a dedicated aquatic plant nursery in the South of England and carefully prepared for delivery across the UK.
Key Benefits
- Native UK waterlily ideal for natural pond designs
- Large leaves provide excellent surface shading
- Helps reduce algae growth naturally
- Supports pollinators and pond wildlife
- Improves water balance and clarity
- Strong, vigorous and long lasting
- Perfect for large ponds and lakes
Reasons to Buy
- The UK’s native white waterlily and only native Nymphaea species
- Ideal for wildlife and natural ponds
- Provides essential shade for fish health
- Low maintenance once established
- Creates a classic, natural pond appearance
Care Instructions
- Place the planted basket into the pond with leaves resting on the surface
- Gradually lower to the final depth as the plant establishes
- Position in full sun for best growth and flowering
- Avoid areas with strong currents or splashing water
- Remove yellowing leaves and spent flowers regularly
- Divide every few years if the plant becomes overcrowded
Flowering Period
June to September
Size and Growing Conditions
Botanical Name: Nymphaea alba
Common Name: Alba Waterlily
Plant Type: Lily
Flower Colour: White
Spread: 80cm to 150cm
Depth: 50cm to 150cm
Growth Habit: Rooted with floating leaves
Growth Rate: Vigorous
Position: Full sun
Water Type: Still or slow-moving water
Hardiness: Fully hardy in UK conditions
Native to the UK: Yes
Dispatching Your Pond Plants
Your Alba Waterlily will be carefully packed to protect the foliage and roots during transit.
Orders received by 11am Monday to Wednesday are normally dispatched on the following working day using a next working day courier service. During busy periods, dispatch may occasionally take an extra day.
To avoid plants being held in depots over a weekend, we do not usually dispatch on Fridays. Highlands and Islands orders using a two day service are not normally dispatched on Thursdays.
Available basket sizes:
- 1 Litre Basket – usually 11 × 11 × 11cm square; some varieties may be supplied in a 14cm diameter × 10cm round basket
- 3 Litre Hexagonal Basket – 18 × 18 × 16cm
- 10 Litre Square Basket – 29 × 29 × 19cm
- 30 Litre Square Basket – 40 × 40 × 28cm
Planting depth is measured from the top of the aquatic basket to the water surface.
Finofil baskets are manufactured in the UK from 100% recycled plastic and are fully recyclable. Their fine dual-mesh construction helps retain aquatic soil while allowing water and nutrients to reach the roots. Basket shape may vary slightly depending on the plant and supplier availability.
Water lily: This Nymphaea is part of our UK-grown water lily collection.
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