Xiafei Waterlily (Nymphaea ‘Xiafei’)

Xiafei Waterlily (Nymphaea ‘Xiafei’)

A vibrant dwarf waterlily with deep pink to red blooms and distinctive red edged leaves, perfect for small ponds, patio containers and compact water features.

Xiafei Waterlily (Nymphaea ‘Xiafei’) is a striking miniature waterlily that brings bold colour and unique foliage to smaller ponds and container water gardens. Originating from China, this compact and free flowering variety is highly valued for its vivid blooms and decorative leaves, making it a standout choice for smaller aquatic spaces.

This variety produces beautiful deep pink to red flowers that sit just above the water surface. The blooms are small but vibrant, opening in sunny conditions and continuing to flower consistently from early summer through to autumn. Its reliable flowering habit makes it a great option for adding long lasting colour to ponds where space is limited.

One of the most distinctive features of Xiafei is its foliage. The floating leaves are a rich green with subtle red edging, adding an extra layer of visual interest even when the plant is not in bloom. These compact lily pads spread gently across the water surface, providing light shade which helps reduce algae growth and stabilise water temperatures.

With a spread of around 30 cm to 45 cm, Xiafei is ideally suited to small wildlife ponds, patio containers, raised water features and decorative pond installations. It offers all the benefits of a traditional waterlily without the vigorous growth of larger varieties, making it easy to manage and maintain.

Xiafei thrives in still water and prefers a sunny position to encourage strong flowering and healthy growth. Its compact root system allows it to establish quickly, and once settled, it requires very little maintenance.

Fully hardy in UK conditions, this waterlily will return year after year when planted correctly. It also supports pond wildlife by providing shelter, shade and resting areas for pollinators and amphibians.

For those looking to introduce a colourful and manageable waterlily into a smaller pond, Xiafei is an excellent choice that delivers both impact and practicality.

🇬🇧 UK-grown aquatic plant: Grown at a dedicated aquatic plant nursery in the South of England and carefully prepared for delivery across the UK.

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Key Benefits

• Bright pink to red flowers provide strong colour
• Unique red edged foliage adds extra visual interest
• Compact size ideal for small ponds and containers
• Helps reduce algae by shading the water surface
• Long flowering period through summer
• Easy to grow and maintain
• Supports pollinators and pond wildlife
• Perfect for patio ponds and aquascaping

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Reasons to Buy

• One of the most colourful dwarf waterlilies available
• Ideal for small garden ponds and container planting
• Adds both colour and unique foliage detail
• Reliable flowering in sunny conditions
• Low maintenance and beginner friendly

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Care Instructions

• Place the planted basket into the pond with leaves resting on the surface
• Gradually lower to the recommended depth as it establishes
• Position in full sun for best flowering
• Avoid strong currents or splashing water
• Remove yellowing leaves and spent flowers regularly
• Divide every few years if it becomes overcrowded

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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 Xiafei 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
• 2 Litre Basket – usually 17cm diameter × 13cm round or 19 × 19 × 9cm square, depending on the plant

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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Similar pond plants

For another pond-edge planting option, compare Almost Black Waterlily (Nymphaea ‘Almost Black’) and Alba var. Rubra Waterlily (Nymphaea alba var. rubra). Browse the full water lily collection for more colours, sizes and planting options.

Explore more waterlilies or browse our complete pond plants range. Need baskets, aquatic soil or planting essentials? Browse our pond plant baskets and aquatic planting supplies.