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Publication #FPS438

Nymphaea x 'Dauben' Dauben Tropical Water Lily1

Edward F. Gilman2

Introduction

'Dauben' tropical waterlily is a hybrid that floats its mottled foliage and produces a fragrant, multipetaled, pastel blue to light-lavender flower well above the water (Fig. 1). It needs 2 to 3 feet to spread its leaves on the water's surface. Each leaf lasts about 6 weeks before turning yellow. New plantlets are produced in the center of the leaves of healthy plants. This is normal and should not be cause for concern; in fact they can be planted to produce new plants for friends or for other parts of the garden. Flower showiness is legendary and each flower lasts several days, but flowers close each night. Full sun is required for best flowering.

General Information

Figure 1. 

'Dauben' tropical waterlily
Scientific name: Nymphaea x 'Dauben'
Pronunciation: nim-FEE-uh
Common name(s): 'Dauben' tropical waterlily
Family: Nymphaeaceae
Plant type: aquatic plant
USDA hardiness zones: 10 through 11 (Fig. 2)
Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round
Origin: not native to North America
Uses: cut flowers; attracts butterflies
Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the plant

Figure 2. 

Shaded area represents potential planting range.

Description

Height: .5 to 1 feet
Spread: 2 to 4 feet
Plant habit: not applicable
Plant density: open
Growth rate: fast
Texture: medium

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: most emerge from the soil, usually without a stem
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: undulate
Leaf shape: orbiculate
Leaf venation: palmate
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: 8 to 12 inches
Leaf color: variegated
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: lavender
Flower characteristic: pleasant fragrance; summer flowering; fall flowering; spring flowering

Fruit

Fruit shape: unknown
Fruit length: unknown
Fruit cover: unknown
Fruit color: unknown
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: not applicable
Current year stem/twig color: not applicable
Current year stem/twig thickness: not applicable

Culture

Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part sun
Soil tolerances: acidic; grows submerged in water
Drought tolerance:
Soil salt tolerances: poor
Plant spacing: 36 to 60 inches

Other

Roots: not applicable
Winter interest: no special winter interest
Outstanding plant: plant has outstanding ornamental features and could be planted more
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests

Use and Management

Waterlilies grow in standing water about 18 inches deep and spread by means of rhizomes. They can be prevented from spreading by planting in a container without drainage holes and submerging the container into the water garden. This helps prevent the plant from invading the entire water garden.

Waterlilies should be planted in a container filled with garden soil or potting mix. A shallow and wide container is better than a tall, narrow container. The garden soil can be mixed with one-fifth well-decomposed cow manure. Incorporate fertilizer at an equivalent rate of about one-quarter cup 10-10-10 per gallon of soil or media to help stimulate growth. Before filling the container, place a small plastic bag filled with sand at the bottom to keep it from floating in the pond. Plant the rhizome at the edge of the container so it can grow horizontally across the top. Place a 1- or 2-inch layer of sand or gravel over the top of the media after the rhizome is planted in the pot to keep media and soil in the container. Lower the container into 6 inches of water until growth begins. Then it can be set so the bottom is no more than 18 inches below the surface. If the water is too deep, place a brick or concrete block under the container. Do not construct containers from treated lumber since growth could be severely inhibited.

The only maintenance required is monthly application of a slow-release fertilizer. Tablets manufactured by various companies can be placed several inches below the sand or gravel layer at the top of the container. Follow the manufacturer's directions to determine the appropriate number of tablets.

Footnotes

1.

This document is FPS438, one of a series of the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date October, 1999. Reviewed June, 2007. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.