Nymphaea dimorpha (syn. Nymphaea minuta)

Item description : 1 young Nymphaea minuta plant in a 6cm pot, guaranteed pure species,in clay soil. 1-2 months from flowering size in warm conditions. You receive a plant similar to the pictured one.

Habitat and Description : An amazing waterlily endemic of Madagascar. It was first called minuta, that means “very small” in relation to its small size (it’s one of the smallest species in the genus!) but it turns out the name was already in use for a fossil species. It’s been renamed N. dimorpha that relates to its 2 forms. The first form is entirely subaquatic (in dark and cool conditions) and the second one  has surface leaves (when it’s warm and sunny). The two forms can produce flowers and another peculiarity is that there are 3 flower types: the first one is cleistogamous, so it never opens but self pollinates, the second type is an open flower that never reaches the surface of the water (very weird!) and normal flowers that emerge above the water like other tropical waterlilies.

This species does not form storage organs (tubers), so one must be careful not to expose it to very cold temperature. Ideal for aquariums or even in a bucket of water. 

Care : Easy to grow. Water temperature from 18 to 30°C, pH 7-8, varied substrates, no problem with clay. Full sun. If sun exposure is too low, the plant will remain under its subaquatic form. A 5-10L water volume is more than enough. Fertilize often for abundant blooming.

Cold hardiness : Tropical