{"product_id":"arethusa-water-lily-pond-plants-mw03","title":"Nymphaea 'Arethusa'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eNymphaea\u003c\/i\u003e 'Arethusa' is a hardy water lily often listed as a medium-sized plant with relatively small pads and flowers compared with the big pond cultivars. It grows from a rhizome and forms a neat patch of floating leaves, then flowers through summer once the water warms. The cultivar name Arethusa is the key name used in pond plant catalogues. Reliable, detailed measurements from independent sources are limited, so it is best to focus on its use as a tidy, medium lily rather than chasing a single fixed number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuppliers commonly describe Arethusa as a medium lily with pads around 12–15 cm across and flowers around 10 cm across. The flowers are usually presented as a decorative, star to cup-shaped bloom that sits close to the surface in calm water. Leaf colour is typically green, with younger growth sometimes showing darker tones before it settles. Because both leaves and flowers are smaller, the plant often looks balanced in a container pond, where large cultivars can feel oversized and heavy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrow Arethusa in full sun in still water. Plant it in a wide basket with loam based compost and a gravel cap. Start the pot on a shallow shelf so the first pads reach the surface quickly, then lower it in stages. For a medium lily with smaller foliage, aim for a medium depth once it is established, adjusting so pads sit flat on the surface and buds can rise without effort. Feeding matters even for small-flowered lilies, so push aquatic fertiliser tablets into the compost through summer. Remove old pads and spent flowers to reduce debris. Over winter, keep the rhizome below the ice line and leave it in place until spring growth restarts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitability for Garden Ponds\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArethusa suits small ponds, tubs, and patio water gardens where you want a proper water lily without a huge leaf raft. The pads still shade the water and provide cover for wildlife, but you are less likely to lose all your open water to foliage. It also works on a shelf in a larger pond as a smaller companion lily, provided you keep enough space between plants so each has room to flower. A wide basket helps Nymphaea 'Arethusa' spread evenly and stops the rhizome circling in a tight pot. If you want to repot Nymphaea 'Arethusa', do it in late spring when new shoots are moving and the water is warming. In ponds with fish, a firm gravel cap keeps compost in place around Nymphaea 'Arethusa' and helps the plant settle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"faq\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Nymphaea 'Arethusa' hardy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is generally sold as a hardy water lily suitable for outdoor ponds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow big are the pads and flowers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSome suppliers describe pads around 12–15 cm across and flowers around 10 cm across, though size varies with conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat depth should I plant Nymphaea 'Arethusa'?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStart shallow, then lower gradually to a medium shelf once it is growing strongly. Adjust so pads reach the surface easily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it suitable for tubs?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The smaller pads and blooms make it a good fit for tubs and smaller container ponds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Is Nymphaea 'Arethusa' hardy?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"It is generally sold as a hardy water lily suitable for outdoor ponds.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"How big are the pads and flowers?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Some suppliers describe pads around 12–15 cm across and flowers around 10 cm across, though size varies with conditions.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What depth should I plant Nymphaea 'Arethusa'?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Start shallow, then lower gradually to a medium shelf once it is growing strongly. Adjust so pads reach the surface easily.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Is it suitable for tubs?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Yes. The smaller pads and blooms make it a good fit for tubs and smaller container ponds.\"\n      }\n    }\n  ]\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Lincspplants","offers":[{"title":"Loose Root","offer_id":51236376969496,"sku":"MW03-loose","price":9.1,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Kit","offer_id":51236377002264,"sku":"MW03-kit","price":11.7,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Potted","offer_id":51236377035032,"sku":"MW03-pot","price":19.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large Kit","offer_id":51236377067800,"sku":"MW03-large-kit","price":33.35,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0671\/2075\/9064\/files\/product_a_r_arethusa_2_1-scaled.jpg?v=1765308989","url":"https:\/\/sarracenia.house\/products\/arethusa-water-lily-pond-plants-mw03","provider":"Sarracenia House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}