TankBud

Yellow pond lily

Nuphar lutea

Also known as Spatterdock, Brandy bottle, Yellow water lily, Cow lily, Nuphar luteum

FreshwaterRhizomeRhizome divisionSeeds

Yellow pond lily (Nuphar lutea)
Uoaei1 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Light
Medium light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
50–82°F
10–28°C
Max height
23.6 in
60 cm
Growth rate
Medium
Placement
Background
Type
Rhizome
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Spread
15.7 in (40 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root feeder
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Medium
Family
Nymphaeaceae
Origin
A hardy water lily of ponds, lakes, and slow rivers across Europe, western Asia, and North Africa, rooted in mud with leaves that reach the surface.

Overview

Yellow pond lily is a hardy water lily for the background, where its submerged leaves are the real draw. It is a plant of medium difficulty.

Did you know

The folk name of yellow pond lily, brandy bottle, comes from its flask-shaped seed pods. The flowers also carry a faint alcoholic scent.

Caring for yellow pond lily

Lay the thick rhizome on or just into a deep, nutrient-rich substrate, with the growing tip uncovered so it does not rot. Yellow pond lily is a large plant, reaching about 24 in (60 cm).

It is a strong root feeder, so let the rhizome feed heavily from the rich substrate and from root tabs. Medium light and added CO2 favor the prized submerged leaves, though it grows without injected CO2. It tolerates cool water from 50 to 82°F (10 to 28°C), so it works in unheated or temperate tanks.

It grows at a moderate pace and will send floating pads to the surface if allowed. Trim those pads to keep light reaching the lower plants. Divide the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each to propagate it.

Good to know

Yellow pond lily is a water lily in the family Nymphaeaceae. It grows two kinds of leaves, wavy, translucent underwater leaves shaped like lettuce and tougher, leathery floating pads. It grows from a large, thick, starchy rhizome that anchors it in the mud. It is also known as spatterdock and cow lily.

In the wild

Yellow pond lily lives in ponds, lakes and slow rivers across Europe, western Asia and North Africa. It roots in the mud, with leaves that reach the surface. Its small yellow, bottle-shaped flowers rise just above the water.

Common questions

Does yellow pond lily need to be planted in the substrate?

Yes. Push the roots into the substrate and keep the rhizome at the surface or just under it, with the growing tip uncovered.

Does yellow pond lily need CO2?

No, but it helps. Yellow pond lily can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does yellow pond lily need?

Yellow pond lily wants medium light. A light sold for planted tanks covers it.

Does yellow pond lily need root tabs?

Yes. Yellow pond lily draws much of its food through its roots. Push root tabs in near it, or grow it in a nutrient-rich soil.

How do you propagate yellow pond lily?

Yellow pond lily propagates by rhizome division. Cut the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each, then tie or plant each piece.

How tall does yellow pond lily grow?

Yellow pond lily grows to about 23.6 in (60 cm) tall. It grows at a moderate pace.

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