Pronunciation:
Introduction
Nymphaea caerulea, commonly known as the Blue Lotus or Sacred Blue Lily, is a water lily that holds cultural significance in various regions, particularly in ancient Egypt. In the USA, it is often referred to as the Blue Water Lily or Egyptian Lotus. The plant has also been known by other names such as the Blue Egyptian Water Lily and Sacred Narcotic Lily of the Nile, reflecting its historical use and origin.
Classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Order: Nymphaeales
- Family: Nymphaeaceae
- Genus: Nymphaea
- Species: N. caerulea
Description
Nymphaea caerulea is an aquatic plant known for its striking blue flowers and lily pads that float on the water’s surface. It has been appreciated for its ornamental value in water gardens and has also been used in traditional medicine and spiritual rituals. While it is not considered invasive, it is a plant that requires specific conditions to thrive and is not problematic when managed correctly.
Size
The Blue Lotus can spread its leaves across a water surface area of about 1 meter in diameter. The flowers rise above the water surface on sturdy stems, usually reaching heights of up to 15-20 centimeters.
Leaves
The leaves of Nymphaea caerulea are round, green, and waxy with a notch at the leaf’s base where the stem is attached. They float on the water surface and can reach up to 40 centimeters in diameter.
Flower
The flowers of the Blue Lotus are its most distinctive feature, typically vibrant blue with a yellow center, and have a sweet fragrance. They open in the morning and close in the late afternoon and can be up to 10-15 centimeters in diameter.
Fruit
The fruit of Nymphaea caerulea is a green, berry-like structure that develops underwater once the flower is pollinated. It contains numerous seeds that can be used for propagation.
Stem
The plant’s stem is a rhizome that anchors into the muddy bottom of a water body. It is from this rhizome that the leaves and flowers emerge.
Cultivation and Care
Planting
Plant the rhizomes in heavy clay soil or a specialized water plant soil mix in pots, and submerge them in ponds or water features at the appropriate depth.
Soil Preference
Nymphaea caerulea prefers heavy loam soil that is rich in nutrients and anchored at the bottom of a pond or still water body.
Watering
As an aquatic plant, it requires a constant supply of water and should be submerged to the correct depth, typically between 30 and 60 centimeters.
Sun Requirements
The Blue Lotus thrives in full sunlight but can tolerate partial shade.
Pruning
Pruning is essential to maintain the health of the plant and the appearance of the water garden. Remove yellow or dead leaves and spent flowers by cutting them off at the base of the stem with pond scissors or pruning shears. Pruning is best done during the growing season.
Propagation
Propagation is typically done by dividing the rhizomes or by sowing seeds directly into the soil at the bottom of the pond.
Health & Safety
Nymphaea caerulea is not known to be poisonous or toxic to humans, dogs, or cats. There are no thorns or spiky parts, and it does not cause contact dermatitis or other skin irritations.
Pests and Problems
Pests that can affect Nymphaea caerulea include aphids (Aphidoidea) and water lily beetles (Galerucella nymphaeae). Aphids can suck the sap from the plant, causing damage to the leaves, while water lily beetles chew on the leaves, creating holes. Control measures include manual removal or the use of appropriate aquatic-safe insecticides. Additionally, the plant can suffer from fungal diseases such as lily pad rot if the water conditions are not optimal. Regular maintenance and monitoring of water quality can help prevent these issues.
Caresheet Data
| Plant Name: | nymphaea caerulea |
|---|---|
| Etymology: | Nymphaea: From the Greek “nymph”, referring to mythological water spirits, indicating the plant’s aquatic nature. Caerulea: From Latin “caeruleus” meaning “blue”, describing the flower’s color. |
| Common Name: | Blue Lotus |
| Genus: | Nymphaea |
| Species: | caerulea |
| Family: | Nymphaeaceae |
| Height: | 8-35 in / 0.67-2.92 ft / 20-90 cm / 0.2-0.9 m |
|---|---|
| Width and Spread: | 24-36 in / 2-3 ft / 60-90 cm / 0.6-0.9 m |
| Plant Type: | Aquatic perennial |
| Habit/Form: | Aquatic perennial |
| Leaf Type: | Simple, rounded, floating |
| Leaf Arrangement: | Alternate |
| Leaf Shape: | Broadly rounded at the base with a nearly entire margin, typically heart-shaped or sometimes more rounded. |
| Leaf Margin: | Entire |
| Leaf Color: | Green |
| Fragrance: | Yes; sweet, floral scent |
| Stem Description: | Smooth, spongy, cylindrical, branching, rhizomatous |
| Stem Is Aromatic: | No |
| Texture: | Smooth, waxy |
| Leaf Feel: | Smooth |
| Leaf Length: | 10-30 cm |
| Leaf Description: | Broad, rounded, green, floating, with undulate margins and a central cleft at the base. |
| Hairs Present: | Yes |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun to partial shade |
|---|---|
| Soil Preference: | Neutral to slightly acidic pH (6-7.5), loamy soil with high organic matter content. |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate to high; submerge rhizomes in 12-18 inches of water. |
| Fertilizer Requirements: | Balanced, slow-release fertilizer (10-10-10 or 20-20-20), applied every 4-6 weeks during growing season. |
| Pruning Requirements: | Prune dead or decaying leaves and flowers regularly to maintain health and appearance; remove spent blooms and yellow leaves by cutting at the base of the stem. |
| Seed Germination Time: | 7-30 days |
| Display/Harvest Time: | June to August |
| Fruit/Seed Production: | Seed |
| Growth Rate: | Moderate |
| Growth Habit: | Aquatic perennial |
| Root System Type: | Rhizomatous root system |
| Fruit Type: | None (Nymphaea caerulea is a water lily and does not produce a typical fruit; it forms a nut-like structure.) |
|---|---|
| Fruit Description: | Berry-like, spongy, green to blue-green, containing numerous seeds. |
| Flower Color: | Blue |
| Flower Shape: | Star-shaped |
| Flower Inflorescence: | Solitary, floating, with a spiral arrangement of petals and sepals |
| Flowering Season: | June to August |
| Bloom Duration: | 4-5 days per flower |
| Drought Tolerance: | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Frost Tolerance: | Intolerant to frost; requires temperatures above 10°C (50°F) to thrive. |
| Heat Tolerance: | Nymphaea caerulea can tolerate water temperatures up to 32°C (90°F). |
| Wind Tolerance: | Moderate |
| Shade Tolerance: | Moderate |
| Salt Tolerance: | Moderate |
| Soil Compaction Tolerance: | Low |
| USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: | 9-11 |
| Photoperiod Sensitivity: | Not photoperiod sensitive |
| Pollinator Attraction: | Yes; bees, beetles. |
|---|---|
| Wildlife Value: | Attracts pollinators such as bees and beetles; provides habitat for aquatic organisms; food source for some species of fish and mammals. |
| Problematic Insects: | Aphids, spider mites, water lily beetles |
| Allelopathic Properties: | Yes |
| Habitat Enhancement: | Nymphaea caerulea provides habitat and breeding grounds for aquatic organisms, stabilizes sediment, and helps to improve water quality by absorbing nutrients. |
| Erosion Control Potential: | Low |
| Landscape Location: | Ponds, water gardens, still water bodies |
| Landscape Theme: | Egyptian-themed water garden; Tropical pond setting; Aquatic plant display; Meditation or Zen garden with water feature |
| Design Feature: | Yes, Nymphaea caerulea, also known as the Blue Lotus, is used in water garden design, pond decoration, and as a motif in art, architecture, and home decor. |
| Ethnobotanical Significance: | Sacred to ancient Egyptians; symbolizes creation and rebirth; used in traditional medicine and rituals; potential psychoactive properties. |
| Naturalization Ability: | Moderate |
| Companion Planting Suitability: | Not applicable (nymphaea caerulea is an aquatic plant and does not have typical companion plants). |
| Edibility: | Yes |
|---|---|
| Edible Parts: | Rhizomes, seeds, flowers |
| Toxicity: | No |
| Poison Parts of Plant: | nan |
| Toxic to Humans: | No |
| Toxic to Cats: | Insufficient data on toxicity to cats. |
| Toxic to Dogs: | No |
| Causes Contact Dermatitis: | Insufficient data to confirm. |
| Air Purification Qualities: | Not established |
| Medicinal Properties: | Antioxidant, antispasmodic, sedative |
| Thorniness or Spikiness: | No |
Sources and Additional Reading
- Nymphaea caerulea – Plant Finder – Missouri Botanical Garden (www.missouribotanicalgarden.org)
- Nymphaea caerulea – ScienceDirect (www.sciencedirect.com)
- The Blue Lotus Flower (Nymphea caerulea) Resin Used in a New Type of … (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- USDA Plants Database (plants.usda.gov)
- What does nymphaea caerulea mean? – Definitions.net (www.definitions.net)
- How to pronounce nymphaea caerulea – Definitions.net (www.definitions.net)
