Skip to content
Next carnivorous plant dispatch date: 28th October
Next carnivorous plant dispatch date: 28th October
Nymphaea 'Arcenciel'
Nymphaea 'Arcenciel'
Nymphaea 'Arcenciel'
Nymphaea 'Arcenciel'
Nymphaea 'Arcenciel'
Nymphaea 'Arcenciel'
Nymphaea 'Arcenciel'
Nymphaea 'Arcenciel'
Nymphaea 'Arcenciel'

Nymphaea 'Arcenciel'

Water Lily
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
in stock, ready to be shipped
Availability:
in stock, ready to be shipped
Availability:
Out of stock
£0.00 - £0.00
£0.00
£11.70
£9.10 - £33.35
£11.70
Type: Kit
Size Information

You can choose plants in various pot sizes. Non-potted plants arrive bare root for you to pot in the specified pot size.

Seasonal Information

Depending on the time of year, pond plants may be supplied fully-leaved, with flowers, or with foliage trimmed back.

Delivery Information

This plant is grown in the UK and sent directly from our tried, tested and trusted plant partner. Delivery price calculated at checkout.

Description of Nymphaea 'Arcenciel'

Nymphaea 'Arcenciel' is a hardy cultivar for garden ponds, building a crown of pads with flowers held at the surface in warm weather. It forms a clump rather than running, so you control it with pot size and an occasional split. It is normally sold under the cultivar name Arcenciel rather than a separate common name.

Appearance

Variegated pads speckled and blotched with cream, pink and green. The pads lie flat and create a steady raft over the water. Flowers are white to pale pink-blushed, star-like flowers with a yellow centre. A sweet scent is often reported can be part of the appeal. Blooms open in daylight and close later, so the display changes through the day.

Care Guide

Place Arcenciel in full sun where the surface stays calm and the leaves do not get battered by spray. Plant into a wide aquatic basket with heavy loam based compost, then cap with washed gravel to keep the water clear. Lower the basket in stages so new leaves can reach the surface, then settle it at around 30–60 of water over the crown. Feed with aquatic fertiliser tablets through the growing season, pushed into the compost. Remove yellowing leaves and spent flowers to cut debris and keep growth moving. As a hardy lily, it can stay outside in winter as long as the crown sits below the ice line.

Suitability for Garden Ponds

Arcenciel suits ponds where you can give it about 80–100 cm of surface space. The pads shade fish and help limit algae by reducing light once the plant is established. Use one main lily in a small pond, or space several well apart in a larger pond so each has open water around it.

FAQs

What size water lily do I need for my pond?

Choose a water lily according to the eventual spread of its leaves and the depth of your pond. Compact and miniature varieties are suitable for small ponds and containers, while vigorous varieties need substantially more surface area and deeper water.

How deep should a water lily be planted?

Planting depth varies by variety. Newly planted water lilies can initially be positioned in shallower water, sometimes by raising the basket on bricks, and then lowered gradually as the leaves grow towards the surface. Check the recommended final depth for the specific variety.

Do water lilies need full sun to flower?

Most water lilies flower best with plenty of direct sunlight. A pond in heavy shade may produce fewer flowers, although requirements vary between varieties. When choosing a water lily, consider both the available sunlight and the mature size of the plant.

Can I grow a water lily in a small pond?

es. There are compact and miniature water lilies bred for small ponds, tubs and other container water features. Avoid choosing a vigorous full-sized variety for a small pond, as it can quickly cover too much of the surface.

Why is my water lily growing leaves but not flowering?

Poor flowering can result from insufficient sunlight, overcrowding, an unsuitable planting depth or lack of nutrients. Established water lilies may need dividing and repotting when congested, and plants that flower poorly may benefit from an appropriate aquatic fertiliser where feeding is required.

What are the best pond plants for a wildlife pond?

The best wildlife pond plants provide a mixture of underwater cover, surface shade, flowering habitat and places for aquatic insects to emerge. A balanced pond can include oxygenating plants, marginal plants and floating-leaved plants such as water lilies. Native species are particularly useful for supporting UK pond wildlife.

Rated Excellent