Nymphaea 'Mexicanna'

Water Lily

Availability:

in stock, ready to be shipped

£0.00 - £0.00

£0.00

£13.99

£13.99 - £13.99

£13.99

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 'Mexicanna'

The name Nymphaea 'Mexicanna' is usually used in the trade for the yellow water lily species Nymphaea mexicana, and the spelling varies a lot between sellers. This plant behaves differently from most hardy pond cultivars because it can spread by creeping runners as well as by rhizome growth. It makes floating pads and bright yellow flowers through the warmer months, and it is often grown for a more “wild” look rather than a neat, clumping patch.

Appearance

Nymphaea mexicana has yellow flowers, typically smaller than the big hybrid cultivars, with blooms often described around 5–10 cm across. Flowers can be held higher than many hardy lilies when conditions suit it, which gives a lighter look above the pads. Leaves are smaller and can vary a lot in size depending on warmth and nutrition. Because it spreads by runners, it can create scattered pads across an area rather than a single tidy raft. In warm weather it can flower over a long season, opening through the day and often staying open later than many hardy hybrids.

Care Guide

Treat the plant with a bit of respect because of its spreading habit. If you want control, plant it in a solid container or a basket you can manage, and avoid letting runners escape into pond margins. Use a loam based aquatic compost and cap with gravel. Place it in full sun for the best flowering, though some sources say it will tolerate partial shade. Depth guidance varies, but many pond sellers place it quite shallow, often around 15–45 cm of water over the crown. Start on the shallow end so pads reach the surface quickly, then adjust if growth is weak. UK hardiness is reported differently by different suppliers, so for a typical UK garden it is safest to treat it as needing winter protection unless you have a deep pond that stays mild. Feeding in summer helps it flower and keeps leaf colour healthy.

Suitability for Garden Ponds

This plant suits larger ponds or naturalistic wildlife ponds where you want a spreading yellow lily and you have room to manage it. The pads still provide shade and cover for fish and invertebrates, but the runnering habit means it can move beyond the original planting spot. In a small pond or a formal water feature, it is only a good idea if you keep it strictly contained. If you want a predictable clump and easy division, a named hardy yellow cultivar will usually fit better than Nymphaea mexicana.

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.