Fringed water lily (yellow floating heart) Nymphoides peltata
Fringed water lily (yellow floating heart) (Nymphoides peltata) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Menyanthaceae family, native to Europe to temperate Asia. It grows 3–10 cm (1–4 in) tall and 80 cm–1.8 m (31 in–5.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about -28 °C (-18 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
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Fringed water lily (yellow floating heart) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Menyanthaceae |
| Mature height | 3–10 cm (1–4 in) |
| Mature spread | 80 cm–1.8 m (31 in–5.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -28 °C (-18 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 10–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Europe to temperate Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
| Invasive in | USA (listed as a noxious weed in several states), New Zealand: check local rules before planting |
Is Fringed water lily (yellow floating heart) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
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 Fringed water lily (yellow floating heart)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
Questions about Fringed water lily (yellow floating heart)
- How far apart should I plant Fringed water lily (yellow floating heart)?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 80 cm–1.8 m (31 in–5.9 ft).
- Does Fringed water lily (yellow floating heart) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Fringed water lily (yellow floating heart) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Fringed water lily (yellow floating heart)?
- It tolerates about -28 °C (-18 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- When does Fringed water lily (yellow floating heart) flower?
- From about June for 10–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Fringed water lily (yellow floating heart) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Fringed water lily (yellow floating heart)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Fringed water lily (yellow floating heart). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
Notes and assumptions
- A pond plant: keep it in water all year and plant it in a basket of heavy loam, never rich compost.
- Small floating leaves like a water lily’s, and fringed yellow flowers held just above the water all summer. Not a lily. It spreads fast by runners, so give it a large pond or keep cutting it back, and never tip it into wild water.
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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- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
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- Foxglove Digitalis purpurea