Crested floatingheart (Nymphoides cristata)
Nymphoides cristata, Crested floatingheart, thrives in water gardens with white blooms. Hardy in Zones 7-10.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Crested floatingheart (Nymphoides cristata) is a delightful aquatic perennial that offers the charm of a miniature water lily without the substantial footprint. Its attractive, slightly larger-than-coin-sized leaves float flat on the water surface, providing excellent coverage and a tranquil aesthetic to any water feature. This species is highly valued for its consistent display of delicate, star-shaped white blooms that persist throughout the warmest months.
As a rhizomatous aquatic, Nymphoides cristata anchors itself in the soil below while its foliage and flowers float above, bringing texture and life to ponds or shallow margins. It thrives under a range of conditions, preferring full sun to partial shade, which makes it adaptable to various placements in the garden environment.
Gardeners seeking low-impact solutions for small pools or ornamental water gardens will find the Crested floatingheart an excellent choice. Its manageable size and ease of care, combined with its tropical appearance, ensure that Nymphoides cristata enhances the beauty and biodiversity of constructed water habitats reliably from late spring until fall.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Menyanthaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Native Range: Temperate and tropical Asia
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 7-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.25-0.5 ft
- Spread: 1-3 ft
- Bloom Time: May to September
- Bloom Description: White
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Wet
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
For optimal growth, plant Nymphoides cristata early in the growing season once danger of frost has passed. This aquatic prefers organically rich soils. When establishing, grow the Crested floatingheart in containers submerged in 1 to 2 feet of water. This method helps control spread gently and maintains the ideal depth for the floating leaves.
Water needs are critical; this plant must remain wet or fully submerged. While it can be placed at the shallow margins of a pond, container culture allows precise control over water depth. Ensure the location receives plenty of light, favoring full sun exposure for the most prolific blooming period extending from May through September.
Maintenance for Nymphoides cristata is generally straightforward. As a medium-maintenance plant, routine checks involve removing any excessive dead foliage to prevent depletion of water quality. No significant pruning is usually required beyond tidying. In colder climates within its range (Zones 7-10), bring containers indoors or sink them deep enough seasonally to protect the rhizomes during winter dormancy.
Landscape Uses
The primary appeal of Crested floatingheart is its role as an outstanding floating water lily-like plant, fitting perfectly into small pools where larger varieties might overwhelm the space. Culturally, it functions well as a Water Plant, Naturalize option in suitable environments, or as a vibrant addition to a Rain Garden where saturated soils or standing water occur naturally.
Because of its floating nature, Nymphoides cristata serves as a living groundcover for the water surface, cooling the water beneath and helping to suppress algae growth. This characteristic makes it an excellent choice for complementing upright marginal plants like irises or cattails, offering a contrast in growth habit.
Consider using Crested floatingheart in groupings to create a unified carpet of foliage punctuated by white summer flowers. In formal settings, use several matching pots strategically for balanced aquatic interest, ensuring the floating leaves do not completely cover the surface, allowing light penetration for submerged oxygenators below.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Nymphoides cristata, commonly called water snowflake, is a rhizomatous floating leaf aquatic perennial that looks like a miniature version of a water lily (Nymphea). Long-stalked, ovate green leaves (to only 3” across) edged with red float on the water surface. Star-shaped fragrant white flowers (3/4” diameter) in clusters (umbels) bloom freely from spring to fall.Genus name of Nymphoides means resembling Nymphaea (water lily), but these two genuses are in different families.Specific epithet means with tassel-like tips or crested.
Tolerances
- No serious insect or disease problems
Potential Problems
This aquatic perennial exhibits remarkable resilience against pests and diseases, meaning gardeners rarely encounter significant issues with Nymphoides cristata. The primary management concern relates to cultural imbalances rather than biological threats. If the leaves begin to yellow or growth slows, check the soil richness and the available sunlight first.
Ensure that excessive deciduous leaf litter doesn’t choke the plants, especially heading into or during dormancy. Promptly remove any decaying matter to maintain good water quality, which is the best proactive defense. Overcrowding can also lead to competition for nutrients, reducing bloom quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Crested floatingheart suitable for?
Crested floatingheart (Nymphoides cristata) is winter hardy in USDA Zones 7 through 10.
How large does Crested floatingheart grow?
This aquatic typically maintains a low profile, reaching a height between 0.25 and 0.5 feet, with a spread generally covering 1 to 3 feet near the water surface.
What sun exposure does Nymphoides cristata need?
Nymphoides cristata performs best when positioned in locations receiving full sun to part shade.
When does Crested floatingheart bloom?
The star-shaped white flowers of Crested floatingheart typically appear consistently from May through September.
Conclusion
The Nymphoides cristata, or Crested floatingheart, provides exceptional textural contrast and charming white flowers ideal for container water gardens or small ponds. Its easy-going nature and miniature water lily appearance make it a must-have for aquatic enthusiasts. Before planting, confirm your local hardiness zone compatibility and plan to situate your containers in a location that receives ample sunlight.
Companion Planting in Water Features
When designing a multi-layered water garden around your Nymphoides cristata, consider adding plants that occupy different niches. Upright marginal plants such as Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) or various Iris varieties provide necessary vertical interest that contrasts beautifully with the flat leaves of the floatingheart.
For submerged oxygenators, hardy pondweeds or hornwort offer competition for nutrients, helping to keep the water clear for the floating foliage of Nymphoides cristata. Ensure these companions share the preference for organically rich soils and similar levels of moderate maintenance.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring warming is the cue to place Nymphoides cristata back into its submerged growing position (1-2 feet deep) once the danger of frost has passed. Focus on ensuring the soil medium is fresh and nutrient-rich at this time.
Summer is the peak growing season; monitor water levels, especially in sunny, shallow gardens, to ensure the rhizomes do not dry out. Deadhead spent flowers occasionally to encourage continuous blooming throughout the summer months.
In autumn, before the first hard freeze, reduce maintenance by removing any heavily blemished foliage. If you live near the edge of its hardiness range (Zone 7), consider lifting containers or wrapping them before winter sets in to protect the perennial rhizomes.
