{"product_id":"sultan-water-lily-pond-plants-lw24","title":"Nymphaea 'Sultan'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eNymphaea\u003c\/i\u003e 'Sultan' is a hardy water lily introduced by Latour-Marliac in the early 1900s and still grown because the flower colour changes as it ages. It grows from a rhizome and forms a broad patch of floating pads, then produces cup-shaped blooms through summer. Most sellers simply call it Sultan water lily. If you like lilies with shifting colour rather than a single fixed shade, this one is worth a look.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSultan flowers often open strawberry to deep pink, then darken towards cherry red as the bloom matures. Several descriptions also mention flecking that can develop from the inner petals outwards, so older flowers can look more patterned than fresh ones. The flower shape is usually described as cup-like and fairly full, with petals layering into a double look. Fragrance is often described as slight rather than strong. Pads are green and form a solid surface raft, giving the plant a substantial presence once it is established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant Sultan in full sun in still water. Use a wide basket with heavy loam based compost and top with washed gravel. Lower the pot in stages so new leaves reach the surface quickly. It is usually recommended for medium to large ponds, and many sources place it in medium to deeper water once established. A practical working range is around 50–120 cm of water over the crown, adjusted so the plant is not forced to stretch. Feed with aquatic fertiliser tablets through the growing season to keep buds coming and to support the colour show. Remove old pads and spent flowers regularly. Over winter, leave it below the ice line and avoid lifting the basket unless you need to divide it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitability for Garden Ponds\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSultan suits medium to large ponds where it can make a good patch of pads without crowding everything else. The surface cover helps fish by providing shade and hiding places, and it can reduce algae by limiting light. The changing flower colour looks best when you can see flowers at different stages, so it works well as a main lily rather than one of many mixed together. In smaller ponds, keep it contained in a basket and be prepared to divide to maintain open water. If you want to repot Nymphaea 'Sultan', do it in late spring when new shoots are moving and the water is warming. A wide basket helps Nymphaea 'Sultan' spread evenly and stops the rhizome circling in a tight pot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"faq\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Nymphaea 'Sultan' hardy in the UK?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. It is sold as a hardy water lily and it normally overwinters outdoors when planted below the ice line.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes Nymphaea 'Sultan' change colour?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Flowers often open deep pink and then darken towards cherry red as they age, and flecking may develop on older blooms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Nymphaea 'Sultan' fragrant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMost descriptions call the scent slight, so it is best to treat it as lightly scented.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow deep should I plant Nymphaea 'Sultan'?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStart shallower and lower gradually. A common working range is around 50–120 cm of water over the crown in ponds that have the depth.\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 'Sultan' hardy in the UK?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Yes. It is sold as a hardy water lily and it normally overwinters outdoors when planted below the ice line.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Does Nymphaea 'Sultan' change colour?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Yes. Flowers often open deep pink and then darken towards cherry red as they age, and flecking may develop on older blooms.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Is Nymphaea 'Sultan' fragrant?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Most descriptions call the scent slight, so it is best to treat it as lightly scented.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"How deep should I plant Nymphaea 'Sultan'?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Start shallower and lower gradually. A common working range is around 50–120 cm of water over the crown in ponds that have the depth.\"\n      }\n    }\n  ]\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Lincspplants","offers":[{"title":"Loose Root","offer_id":51236376674584,"sku":"LW24-loose","price":9.1,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Kit","offer_id":51236376707352,"sku":"LW24-kit","price":11.7,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Potted","offer_id":51236376740120,"sku":"LW24-pot","price":19.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large Kit","offer_id":51236376772888,"sku":"LW24-large-kit","price":33.35,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0671\/2075\/9064\/files\/product_s_u_sultan.jpg?v=1765308989","url":"https:\/\/sarracenia.house\/products\/sultan-water-lily-pond-plants-lw24","provider":"Sarracenia House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}