Egyptian blue water lily

The Egyptian blue water lily (Nymphaea caerulea) is an aquatic herbaceous perennial plant native to Asia. It requires frequent and consistent water for optimal growth and flower production. During the active growing season of spring through fall, water should be added to the pond daily or every other day to maintain a deep water level of 5-7 inches. As temperatures drop in the fall and winter, only enough water needs to be added to replace water that has evaporated. Egyptian blue water lilies should not be completely submerged in water, and when the water level starts to go above the height of the leaves, more weeds can grow in the pond and the leaves will start to rot. A fertilizer such as 10-10-10 can be added bi-weekly to the pond to help promote growth and flowering.

The Egyptian blue water lily (Nymphaea caerulea) is a water-loving plant that requires plenty of sunlight to thrive. It does best in full sun, meaning 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. For optimal growth, the plant should receive direct sunlight from mid-morning until late afternoon. If grown indoors, it should be placed near a south-facing window, though it may need to be moved regularly so it does not get burned by the sun. In the summer months, the Egyptian blue water lily will benefit from extra shade, such as a net or cloth, to help protect it from the intense midday sun.

Egyptian blue water lilies should be pruned twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. In the springtime, prune off any dead or damaged foliage and weak stems. In the fall, prune back all the foliage by 1/3 of its original size. This will encourage more vigorous growth the following year. Additionally, you should thin out the foliage to let more light and air reach the center of the plant. Pruning should be done with clean, sharp pruning shears. Be careful not to cut off too much tissue, as this could damage the plant.