Water Lily
Nymphaea alba
Family: Nymphaeaceae · Also called Nymphaea, Pond Lily, Lotus (incorrectly), Castalia alba, Leuconymphaea alba
Powdery & Soft · Summer bloomer
Water lilies float with absolute serenity on still water, perfect chalices of petals opening each morning to reveal a golden heart, surrounded by round, waxy pads that seem to hover on the surface. From the thumbnail-sized pygmy species to the 6-foot pads of Victoria amazonica, they are nature's purest expression of tranquil beauty.
purity, innocence, enlightenment, rebirth
In the Victorian language of flowers, water lily means “Purity of heart”. Water lilies span cultures worldwide: the Egyptian blue lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) was sacred to the Sun God Ra; Monet painted them obsessively at Giverny, creating some of art's most famous works; the giant Victoria amazonica was the botanical sensation of the Victorian era. The Amazon water lily's leaf structure inspired the Crystal Palace design.
Did You Know?
Water lily leaves are natural marvels of engineering, the underside has a network of radiating ribs that distribute weight so effectively that Victoria amazonica pads can support a child. Monet was so obsessed with water lilies that he painted 250 canvases of his Giverny pond over 30 years, filling entire rooms at the Orangerie in Paris.
Still freshwater ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams
Water Lily is native to Worldwide (tropical and temperate regions). It naturally grows in still freshwater ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams.
Scent Profile
“A clean, sweet freshness, subtle and pure, like the scent of clean water given floral form. Tropical varieties tend to be more fragrant than temperate ones.”
Quick Reference
- Scientific NameNymphaea alba
- FamilyNymphaeaceae
- Native ToWorldwide (tropical and temperate regions)
- Bloom SeasonSummer
- LifespanPerennial
Cultural Significance
Water lilies span cultures worldwide: the Egyptian blue lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) was sacred to the Sun God Ra; Monet painted them obsessively at Giverny, creating some of art's most famous works; the giant Victoria amazonica was the botanical sensation of the Victorian era. The Amazon water lily's leaf structure inspired the Crystal Palace design.