Nymphaea 'Tina' Tropical

Water Lily

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£5.00 - £15.00

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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 'Tina' Tropical

Nymphaea 'Tina' is a tropical water lily grown for deep violet-blue flowers and strong fragrance. It is a day-blooming variety, which means the flowers open in the morning and close again later. It grows from a crown rather than a hardy rhizome, produces floating pads, and can flower continuously through warm weather. People often call it simply Tina tropical water lily. In the UK it suits gardeners who treat tropical lilies as a summer plant or who can overwinter it frost-free.

Appearance

Tina makes rounded, wavy-edged floating leaves that can reach about 25 cm across in good conditions. The flowers are the main event: large, cup-shaped blooms around 15 cm across are commonly reported, with pointed petals in a deep violet-blue shade and a bright golden centre. Most sources describe it as very fragrant. Flowers last a few days each and keep coming in warm weather, so you get an ongoing display rather than a short flush. In strong sun, the blue tone looks richer and clearer, while in cooler weather the plant can slow down and produce fewer buds.

Care Guide

Treat Tina as tropical, not hardy. Give it full sun and warm, still water. Plant it in a wide basket or solid pot with loam based compost and a gravel cap. Start it in shallower water so new leaves reach the surface easily, then lower as growth strengthens. In a UK garden pond, the main challenge is temperature. It will not reliably overwinter outdoors, so plan to lift and overwinter indoors in a warm tank, or grow it as a seasonal plant and replace it. Feed regularly with aquatic fertiliser tablets during the growing season, as tropical lilies respond quickly to feeding. Remove old leaves to keep the crown open and to reduce rot in the pot.

Suitability for Garden Ponds

Tina suits sunny ponds and large tubs where you want a dramatic blue flower for summer. It is especially good in a patio container because you can place it in the warmest, brightest spot and enjoy the scent close up. In larger ponds it can spread widely in warm conditions, with some sources giving a mature spread in the 90–150 cm range, so plan space. Because it is tropical, it is best for gardeners who do not mind lifting plants at the end of the season. A wide basket helps Tina root evenly and usually improves the flower count. Clear floating debris so buds on Tina are not held under the surface. Keep a patch of open water next to Tina so you can enjoy the flowers properly from the edge.

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.