Least water-lily (Nuphar pumila) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Nuphar pumilum, Least yellow water-lily, Nuphar lutea var. pumila, Nymphozanthus pumilus
Family
Nymphaeaceae (water lily family)
Origin
Subarctic and temperate Eurasia, from Britain, Scandinavia and Spain east to China, Korea and Japan
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
50 cm
Temperature
4–20°C
pH
5.5–7
Hardness
Soft, nutrient-poor water
Care level
expert
Lighting
High light or full sun
Flow
Still to slow flow

Care

The least water-lily is a small yellow pond-lily of cool, nutrient-poor lakes, ponds and slow rivers across northern Europe and Asia, including a few sites in Britain. The list spells it Nuphar pumilum; Nuphar pumila is the accepted spelling. It grows from a slender rhizome (1–3 cm thick) in water about 0.5–3 m deep. Floating leaves are only about 5–13 cm long, and it also makes round, crinkled submerged leaves. The pale yellow flowers are 1–6 cm across. It is a coldwater pond plant and needs a cold winter rest; it does poorly in heated tropical tanks. It is rare or threatened in several European countries (endangered in Switzerland and Poland), so buy only cultivated stock and never collect it from the wild. Hybrids with the common yellow water-lily are frequent. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources, based on its preference for nutrient-poor water. The maximum size is the leaf-stalk length (20–50 cm). Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nupharpumila); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Divide the rhizome in spring, keeping a growing point on each piece. It also sets seed.

Compatibility and tank mates

Suitable for small wildlife ponds and coldwater set-ups; not for tropical tanks. Fish rarely bother the floating leaves, but koi and goldfish may graze the soft submerged leaves.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.