cape lily flower Cape Blue – Riverside Aquatics

Cape Blue

Botanical Name: Nymphaea Nouchali (Capensis)

Indigenous

☀️ Exposure: Full sun
❄️ Hardiness: Hardy
🌱 Soil Type: Clay, loamy, aquatic soil
📏 Height: 30cm - 150cm
↔️ Spread: 90–150 cm

Nymphaea Nouchali (Capensis), commonly known as the Cape Blue Water Lily, is a striking aquatic perennial with vivid sky-blue to deep violet flowers and a golden-yellow center. Indigenous to South Africa, this hardy water lily thrives in warm, still waters, making it a perfect addition to ponds, dams, and water gardens. Its broad floating leaves provide shade and shelter for aquatic life, while its fragrant blooms attract pollinators. A fast grower and prolific bloomer, this beautiful species is an excellent choice for adding a touch of natural elegance to any water feature.

Water Lily Plant Guide

Prepare Container — Fill the air‑pot, ceramic pot, or basket one‑third with washed gravel (rinse thoroughly to remove dust). Create a shallow depression in the centre for the rhizome.

Position Rhizome — Place the rhizome horizontally with the crown (growing tip) slightly above the media — never bury the crown(new growth). Allow roots to drape into the gravel.

Add Plant Food — Insert a pinch of slow‑release fertilizer or a root tab into the media near the roots.

If it's a natural pond or has soil, you may place a handful of topsoil under the rhizome and surround it with gravel.

Cover & Cap — Add more gravel to secure the roots, then finish with a 3–5 cm gravel/pebble cap to keep fish from disturbing the roots and to keep the water clear.

TIP: Place in a sunny spot (4–6+ hours minimum direct sunlight) to promote abundant flowering!