Pygmy Ruby Water Lily Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Rubra' (H)
ABOUT
Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Rubra' commonly known as the Pygmy Rubra Water Lily, is a charming aquatic plant that adds a touch of elegance to any water garden or pond. This plant is noted for its striking flowers that float gracefully on the water surface. The blooms are a captivating deep pink to red, with multiple layers of petals that open wide to create a star-like form. These vibrant blossoms can provide a striking visual impact, with their coloration offering a vivid contrast against the water. Surrounding the central golden-yellow stamens, the petals can have slightly lighter or darker shadings, giving a sense of depth and texture to the flower. The leaves of the Pygmy Rubra Water Lily, known as lily pads, are equally attractive. They typically boast a rich green color and are nearly round in shape with a unique slit on one side. The surface of the leaves may be smooth or have subtle ridges, and they can display a waxy coating that helps them repel water. As a floating plant, the Pygmy Rubra Water Lily spreads its foliage out across the water, providing shelter for aquatic life and promoting a healthy and balanced ecosystem in the pond. The plant's leaves and flowers emerge on separate stalks from the rhizome, which is typically planted in soil at the bottom of a pond or contained within a pot submerged in water. The harmony of the floating foliage and dazzling flowers of the Pygmy Rubra Water Lily creates a peaceful and inviting ambiance in any garden water feature.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Nymphaeaceae.
Synonyms
Pygmy Ruby Water Lily, Dwarf Red Water Lily.
Common names
Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Rubra' (H)
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as the Dwarf Red Waterlily is generally considered non-toxic to humans. There are no well-documented cases of poisoning from ingesting parts of the plant; however, as with many plants, individual allergies and sensitivities could potentially cause mild reactions in some people. If such a reaction occurs, the concerned individual should seek medical attention.
To pets
The Dwarf Red Waterlily is also generally considered non-toxic to pets. While the plant itself is not known to be poisonous, as with humans, individual animals can have unique sensitivities or allergies. Owners should always monitor their pets for adverse reactions if they ingest any part of the plant and consult a veterinarian if symptoms appear.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
6 inches (15 cm)
Spread
1 foot (30 cm)
Plant type
Aquatic
Hardiness zones
Varies
Native area
Cultivar
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds a vibrant touch to ponds and water gardens with its deep red-pink flowers.
- Wildlife Attraction: Provides a habitat and breeding ground for aquatic creatures such as frogs and dragonflies.
- Shade Provider: Large leaves create shade over water, helping to reduce algae growth and keep water cooler.
- Water Quality Improvement: Roots help to stabilize the sediment, reducing erosion and maintaining clear water.
- Oxygenation: Contributes to the oxygen levels in the water, which is beneficial for fish and other aquatic life.
- Stress Reduction: Water features with Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Rubra' are known to have calming effects on the environment, promoting relaxation.
- Space Efficient: Suitable for smaller ponds or containers due to its dwarf nature.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- The dwarf water lily can add unique aesthetic appeal to miniature ponds or water features, providing exotic charm in a small-scale setting.
- It can serve as a natural solution for algae control in garden ponds by shading the water and limiting the sunlight that algae require to thrive.
- The floating leaves offer shelter and breeding grounds for aquatic wildlife, including frogs and beneficial insects.
- As an educational tool, the dwarf water lily can be used in schools or workshops to demonstrate plant life cycles and aquatic plant care.
- Can be cultivated indoors in large, water-filled containers, like glass bowls, to create a tranquil, indoor water garden.
- Photographers and artists may use the plant as a subject for exploring botanical imagery and nature-inspired artworks.
- The plant is suitable for use in Feng Shui design, where water features with lilies are deemed to bring good luck and prosperity.
- Its compact size makes it an ideal subject for bonsai-style water gardens, where space is limited but visual impact is desired.
- It can be incorporated into sensory gardens for the visually impaired, as the texture of the leaves and the water can be quite distinctive to touch.
- Used in miniature fairy gardens to create a magical waterscape that can inspire creativity and imagination in garden designers.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Dwarf Water Lily is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Dwarf Water Lily is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Peace: Similar to other water lilies, the Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Rubra', commonly known as the Dwarf Water Lily, often symbolizes peace due to its serene appearance as it floats on the surface of the water.
- Purity: The Dwarf Water Lily is frequently associated with purity because it blooms clean and unstained despite growing in muddy waters.
- Enlightenment: In various spiritual traditions, water lilies such as the Dwarf Water Lily are often connected with enlightenment, as their growth from the darkness of the pond to the light at the surface mirrors the journey of the spirit.
- Rebirth: This plant symbolizes rebirth or reincarnation, which aligns with the way it reemerges every day after retreating back into the water at night.
- Beauty: With its delicate and vividly colored petals, the Dwarf Water Lily also represents beauty and grace.
WaterThe Dwarf Red Water Lily should be planted in aquatic conditions, fully submerged in at least 10-12 inches of water over the soil surface to ensure proper growth. It is not watered in the traditional sense, as it lives in a pond or water garden where it should be kept in standing water continuously. The general rule is to ensure that the water level remains consistent and to add water as necessary to maintain the proper depth, especially during the warmer months when evaporation can lower water levels. It's more about maintaining the water level rather than applying a set amount of water at specific intervals, but if the pond water level drops, add enough water to maintain the aforementioned depth, doing so whenever necessary without a fixed schedule.
LightDwarf Red Water Lilies thrive in full sunlight with at least six hours of direct daylight. They do best when placed in a spot within a pond or water garden that receives ample sunlight throughout the day, avoiding shaded areas if possible, to encourage healthy growth and blooming.
TemperatureDwarf Red Water Lilies prefer warm temperatures and are hardy in zones 4 through 11. They can survive in temperatures as low as just above freezing but grow best when water temperatures are between 70°F to 85°F. These lilies will go dormant in the winter and may require a deeper portion of the pond to overwinter successfully if the surface freezes.
PruningPruning the Dwarf Red Water Lily helps maintain its appearance and health; remove spent flowers and yellowing leaves throughout the growing season to encourage new growth. Pruning is done as needed, usually every few weeks during the spring and summer. The best time for substantial pruning is early spring before the new growth begins.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for the Dwarf Water Lily is a heavy loam soil with a pH of 6 to 7.5. It's ideal to use a mix that is two parts clay to one part sand to ensure a nutrient-rich and stable substrate for anchoring the plant in the pond.
RepottingDwarf Water Lilies should be repotted every 1-2 years to refresh the soil and allow room for growth. It's best done in the spring at the beginning of the growing season.
Humidity & MistingDwarf Water Lilies thrive in high humidity conditions, which are naturally provided by their aquatic environment. Ensure consistent moisture by keeping the plant in water.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Keep the Dwarf Water Lily in a deep container with full sunlight.
Outdoor
Plant in a pond or container in full sun and still water.
Hardiness zone
4-10 USDA
Life cycleThe life of Pygmy Water Lily (Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Rubra') begins with germination, where seeds sprout when submerged in warm, shallow water, developing roots and shoots. The seedlings grow into juvenile plants, forming small tubers and rosettes of floating leaves as they establish. As the plant matures, it extends runners and further anchors into the pond substrate, while its leaves expand to cover the water's surface, providing shade and habitat. The Pygmy Water Lily produces distinctive flowers that float above the water, which are pollinated by insects, leading to seed formation. After the flowering period, the plant goes into a dormant phase, especially in regions with colder winters, where the leaves die back and the plant survives as a tuber. The plant re-emerges in spring, starting the cycle anew with fresh growth of leaves and stems, leading back to the flowering stage.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The dwarf water lily, known as Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Rubra' (H), is commonly propagated through division during its active growth period, which is typically in the spring to early summer. The process involves carefully removing the plant from its aquatic environment and cleaning off the soil to reveal the rhizome and root structure. Using a sharp knife, the gardener separates a portion of the rhizome that includes at least one growing point or "eye," ensuring that there are sufficient roots attached to support the newly divided section. This piece is then replanted in aquatic planting media at a depth of about 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 centimeters), making sure that the growing point is just above the surface. The division allows the dwarf water lily to establish more quickly in its new location, often leading to blooming in the late summer months if the division is done early in the season.
