Fringed Water Lily (Nymphoides peltata)

Fringed Water Lily Pond Plant (Nymphoides peltata)

Native floating pond plant with delicate yellow fringed flowers and lily like leaves that bring colour, shade and wildlife value to garden ponds.

Fringed Water Lily (Nymphoides peltata) is a beautiful native aquatic plant that produces floating leaves and striking yellow flowers with delicate fringed petals. Although often mistaken for a true water lily, this charming pond plant belongs to a different plant family and offers its own unique appearance and benefits for wildlife ponds and ornamental garden ponds.

During the summer months, this plant produces a profusion of vibrant yellow flowers that sit just above the water surface. Each flower features finely fringed petals which create a soft, decorative appearance across the pond. The flowers typically appear from June through to September, bringing colour and visual interest throughout the warmest part of the year.

The round floating leaves resemble small water lily pads and gently spread across the pond surface. These leaves help provide natural shade which can reduce sunlight penetration into the water. By limiting excess sunlight, the plant can help slow down algae growth and improve the natural balance within the pond ecosystem.

Fringed Water Lily is particularly valuable for wildlife ponds. The floating foliage provides shelter for fish, tadpoles and amphibians, while insects and pollinators are attracted to the bright yellow flowers. As a native UK aquatic plant it is well suited to British pond environments and helps support natural biodiversity.

Nymphoides peltata thrives in still water and grows well in both sunny and partially shaded locations. It should ideally be planted away from heavy splashing fountains or strong water movement. The plant is moderately vigorous and spreads across the pond surface using small plantlets. In very shallow or marshy conditions it can spread more quickly, so occasional trimming may be required to keep it contained.

For best results, plant Fringed Water Lily in an aquatic basket using aquatic compost and gradually lower the basket into the pond so the leaves can grow up towards the surface. Once established it requires very little maintenance and will continue to produce attractive floating leaves and bright summer flowers year after year.

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Key Benefits

• Native UK aquatic plant that supports pond biodiversity
• Unique fringed yellow flowers from summer through early autumn
• Floating leaves help shade the pond surface
• Natural shading can help limit algae growth
• Provides shelter for fish, amphibians and aquatic insects
• Ideal for wildlife ponds and natural pond planting schemes
• Hardy and well suited to UK garden ponds
• Creates attractive floating foliage coverage

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Reasons to Buy

• Beautiful native pond plant with distinctive fringed flowers
• Perfect for creating a natural wildlife friendly pond
• Helps improve pond balance by adding shade and habitat
• Easy to grow and low maintenance once established
• Excellent companion plant for water lilies and marginal plants

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Care Instructions

• Plant in an aquatic planting basket with aquatic compost
• Lower gradually into the pond until leaves reach the water surface
• Position in still water away from strong fountains or splashing features
• Best grown in full sun or partial shade
• Trim excess growth if the plant spreads too far across the pond
• Spread may increase faster in very shallow water or marshy areas

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Flowering Period

June to September

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Size and Growing Conditions

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Dispatching Your Pond Plants

Your Fringed Water Lily 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

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.

Explore more deep water pond plants or browse our complete pond plants range.