Europe (including Britain), north-west Africa and western Asia to Siberia
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
500 cm
Temperature
4–22°C
pH
5.5–8.5
Care level
expert
Lighting
High light or full sun
Flow
Still to slow flow
Care
The yellow water-lily is a native British pond and river plant. It grows from a stout, spongy, branching rhizome up to 15 cm thick, in lakes, ponds, ditches, canals and slow rivers in water up to about 5 m deep (that depth is the maximum size given). Leathery floating leaves reach about 30 cm long, and it also makes very thin, wavy submerged leaves. Scented, globe-shaped yellow flowers (3–6.5 cm) are followed by bottle-shaped fruit. It is a pond plant. It is far too large and vigorous for an aquarium, and it needs a cool winter rest, so it suits ponds and does poorly in tropical tanks. It tolerates acid to alkaline water but is less tolerant of pollution than white water-lilies. The temperature range is our estimate; the pH range reflects Wikipedia's note on acid to alkaline water. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nupharlutea); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.
Breeding
Divide the rhizome in spring, keeping a growing point on each piece, and plant it in a basket of heavy soil. It also seeds freely.
Compatibility and tank mates
A large native pond plant; fish generally leave the leathery leaves alone. Not for indoor or tropical aquaria.
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.