Taiwan lily
Nymphoides hydrophylla 'Taiwan'
Also known as Nymphoides sp. 'Taiwan', Taiwan lily pad, Nymphoides hydrophylla Taiwan, Snowflake lily 'Taiwan'
Care at a glance
- Light
- Medium light
- CO2
- CO₂ beneficial
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Placement
- Midground
- Type
- Rosette
- Temperature
- 68–82°F (20–28°C)
- pH
- 5.5–8.0
- Hardness
- 3–15 dGH
- Max height
- 11.8 in (30 cm)
- Spread
- 5.9 in (15 cm)
- Nutrient uptake
- Root + water column
- Growth region
- Submersed
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Origin
- Southern Taiwan (cultivar of an Asian/African species)
- Family
- Menyanthaceae
Overview
An easy, fast lily-substitute that stays low and bushy in the midground if you regularly remove the oldest leaves and any that head for the surface. It is a heavy feeder, so it grows best with rich substrate and root tabs or good water-column dosing; CO2 is optional but speeds it up. Propagate simply by detaching the young plantlets that sprout on older leaves. It does not need CO2 to look good.
In the wild
The parent species Nymphoides hydrophylla grows in Asia and Africa, and this popular cultivar traces back to southern Taiwan. It is a lily-like marsh plant that roots in the substrate and produces round, bright green leaves on stalks. Left alone it will reach the surface and float leaves like a small water lily.
Good to know
This is a cultivated form of Nymphoides hydrophylla in the family Menyanthaceae, the bogbean family, and is a 'floating heart' rather than a true Nymphaea water lily. Despite being sold alongside bulb plants, it grows from a leaf rosette, not a dormant bulb. New plants form on the plates of the old leaves, so it multiplies quickly.
Did you know
Did you know it is not really a lily at all? It belongs to the bogbean family and is a 'floating heart', and it makes new plants on top of its own old leaves rather than from a bulb.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Glass Aqua Aquascaping plants and planted tank supplies
- Buce Plant Aquatic plants and aquascaping supplies
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Growing Taiwan lily?
Track your planted tank, set reminders and plan your layout.
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