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Blue water lily (blue lotus of Egypt) Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea

Blue water lily (blue lotus of Egypt) (Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Nymphaeaceae family, native to Nile valley and tropical/southern Africa. It grows 10–30 cm (4–12 in) tall and 1.2–2.2 m (3.9–7.2 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 10 °C (50 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.

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Blue water lily (blue lotus of Egypt) (Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea)
Photo: (c) Ravuri Krishna Chaitanya, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ravuri Krishna Chaitanya · CC-BY

Blue water lily (blue lotus of Egypt) at a glance

TypePerennial flowering plant, evergreen
FamilyNymphaeaceae
Mature height10–30 cm (4–12 in)
Mature spread1.2–2.2 m (3.9–7.2 ft)
Spacing1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre
SunFull sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day
WaterHigh; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance high
Soil pH6–8
Cold hardinessAbout 10 °C (50 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12)
Heat stressLikely above about 38 °C (100 °F)
Floweringfrom about March for 21–43 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones)
Wind toleranceLow
Pollinator valueModerate
EdibleNot grown as food
Native toNile valley and tropical/southern Africa
Common in gardens of🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇪🇬 Egypt

Is Blue water lily (blue lotus of Egypt) toxic?

Contains aporphine alkaloids (apomorphine); not for eating.

If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.

Companion planting: what to grow with Blue water lily (blue lotus of Egypt)

No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.

See Blue water lily (blue lotus of Egypt) in a botanical garden

It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:

Questions about Blue water lily (blue lotus of Egypt)

How far apart should I plant Blue water lily (blue lotus of Egypt)?
About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.2–2.2 m (3.9–7.2 ft).
Does Blue water lily (blue lotus of Egypt) need full sun?
Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Blue water lily (blue lotus of Egypt) need?
High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
How cold-hardy is Blue water lily (blue lotus of Egypt)?
It tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
When does Blue water lily (blue lotus of Egypt) flower?
From about March for 21–43 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
Is Blue water lily (blue lotus of Egypt) poisonous to cats and dogs?
For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Contains aporphine alkaloids (apomorphine); not for eating.
What grows well with Blue water lily (blue lotus of Egypt)?
There is no well-documented companion pairing for Blue water lily (blue lotus of Egypt). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).

Sources and evidence

Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).

Notes and assumptions

Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.

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