Nymphaea stellata – a starry water lily with beautiful flowers

The captivating aquatic plant Nymphaea stellata, also referred to as the starry water lily, adds a touch of elegance to any pond or aquarium. Its tiny, star-shaped flowers, which are available in a variety of blue, purple, and white hues, produce an enthralling display on the surface of the water. This water lily is a favorite among pond lovers and aquarists because it is not only gorgeous but also reasonably low maintenance.

Nymphaea stellata is a tropical plant that grows best in warm, calm waters where it can freely spread its leaves and blossoms. The plant’s exceptional capacity to bloom nonstop during the warmer months guarantees that your aquatic environment will always be colorful and lively. A natural charm to your underwater world, the starry water lily offers the ideal balance of simplicity and beauty, whether you are an experienced aquarist or just starting out.

Nymphaea stellata is not only beautiful to look at, but it also keeps your aquatic ecosystem balanced. Its roots help stabilize the substrate and enhance the quality of the water, and its broad leaves offer refuge to fish and other aquatic life. Adding this gorgeous water lily to your pond or aquarium will not only improve its aesthetic appeal but

Description

One kind of aquatic plant in the water lily family is the starry water lily, Nymphaea stellata. It comes from India and is Bangladesh’s and Sri Lanka’s national flower. Another name for one of the 108 fortunate symbols discovered in the footprints of the Buddha. renowned for its therapeutic qualities as well. It is frequently used as an antiseptic, to enhance digestion, and to lower blood sugar levels.

Nymphaea nouchali is this plant’s official scientific name. It’s more commonly referred to by the synonym Nymphaea stellata. In daily life, starry water lilies are also referred to by a number of names:

• blue lotus;
• star lotus;

• red or white water lily;
• blue star water lily, etc.

Nymphaea nouchali comes in a variety of forms, each with a unique flower color. The petals of the star lotus are typically purple with red edges. There are varieties with white, blue, purple, or purple flowers.

There is even a fuchsia variety available. When observed from above, the water lily flower’s 4-5 sepals and 13–15 angular petals resemble stars. The sepal, which is made up of sepals that shield the flower, is 11–14 cm in diameter. In the day, the star water lily blooms.

Natural varieties are common in Sri Lankan home aquariums kept by amateurs. The petals of its flower are white with a faint blue hue.

Nymphaea stellata’s stems and roots are submerged in water. A portion of the leaves is situated in the water column, whereas the remaining ones are elevated marginally above the surface. The rounded, green leaf blades have a darker underside.

The floating leaves have somewhat jagged edges that are wavy. The leaves have a maximum length of 20–23 cm. The water lily has rounded, tuberous rhizomes.

The gorgeous aquatic plant Nymphaea stellata, also referred to as the starry water lily, enthralls with its star-shaped, vivid flowers and gracefully floating leaves. This hardy plant is perfect for ponds and aquariums because it not only adds beauty but also helps maintain a healthy aquatic environment by giving fish shade and cover. Nymphaea stellata is a must-have for any water gardener or aquarium enthusiast wishing to accentuate the natural beauty of their aquatic setup. It is visually striking and easy to care for.

Distribution

Southeast Asian nations, those on the Indian subcontinent, and the northern portion of the Australian continent are the primary habitats of the starry water lily.

This kind of water lily can be found in freshwater bodies that have stagnant or slow-moving water in nature.

This plant was used as pond decoration in many different countries.

Growing and care

Aquarium decorations often include water lilies. If the necessary basic conditions are met, growing these plants is not too tough for a beginner. The plant can reach a height of 20 to 70 cm in an aquarium. And the overall diameter, including the leaves that float on the water’s surface, is between 20 and 70 cm.

Due to its relatively large size, the water lily is not suitable for keeping in small aquariums. And in large containers, the optimal solution would be to place the plant in the middle or background of the composition.

It is advisable to use a vessel with a capacity of 200 liters. When arranging an aquarium, you should fix the lamps higher so that the star lotus does not get burned. Especially if incandescent lamps are used.

Water parameters for ideal maintenance

Although Nymphaea stellata can survive in a variety of temperatures, it prefers softened water that is almost neutral in pH. The following conditions must be kept in mind when maintaining an aquarium with a star lotus:

acid-base balance – 5-7.

It is advised to keep the water between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius throughout the winter. It is not required to change the water for the star lotus to live comfortably, but it is preferable to accept filtration.

Lighting requirements

Good lighting is necessary for the star lotus to grow well. Fluorescent lights with a power of 0.8 W/l are recommended. In high light, the plant produces tiny leaves with short petioles that start to cover the ground. The lotus foliage consequently grows into a bush that creeps along the aquarium’s bottom.

Nymphaea nouchali turns drab and has a sickly appearance when it senses a severe lack of light.

You can achieve the typical appearance of Nymphaea stellata, which is found in ponds and natural reservoirs, by only slightly reducing the lighting intensity.

The plant’s petioles stretch as the green leaves enlarge. The leaf blades thus essentially rest on the water’s surface.

Demanding to the soil, nutrient substrate

Although Nymphaea stellata has a robust root system, the plant’s roots are extremely thin. This is why using fine-grained soil is essential. From sand or small gravel, for instance. You run the risk of breaking the roots if you don’t.

Clay soils feel best for star lotuses, as noted by aquarists.

It is advantageous that the nutrient substrate contains charcoal and peat in addition to clay. Planting in silted soil—which forms in old aquariums with a well-established ecosystem—is the best option.

The starry water lily can benefit from the following well-known manufacturers’ products as nutrient substrates:

• Tropica Substrate — a nutritious substrate based on peat and clay, ideal for growing marsh plants. Serves as a source of iron, necessary for maintaining the bright green color of the leaves.

• Tetra ActiveSubstrate — a natural lightweight soil based on clay. Contains a large amount of iron. Suitable for planting plants with a fragile root system.

• Sera Floredepot — a nutritious soil made using peat. Serves as a good source of organic compounds necessary for the proper growth of Nymphaea stellata.

Demanding of fertilizers

The silt layer provides the large amount of organic matter that star lotus requires. It will also be necessary to add liquid fertilizers containing macro- and microelements to the water. It is not practical to use solid fertilizers because the root system is so fragile and easily damaged.

You can use the following preparations for improved growth and to keep the plant looking beautiful:

• Aquayer MICRO+ — liquid fertilizer for daily use. Promotes the growth of aquarium flora, is a source of essential microelements.

• Aquayer MACRO+ — liquid fertilizer with nitrates and phosphates. Used in combination with the first preparation for feeding plants that need nitrogen compounds and organic matter in general.

• Aquabalance Macro-balance — a solution with a high content of phosphorus and nitrogen-containing compounds. Used when changing water. Can be used if there are plants in the same aquarium with a water lily, for which it is important to replace part of the old liquid with fresh.

• Aquabalance Micro-balance+K — liquid fertilizer, which is recommended for use together with Macro-balance. Serves as a source of iron and potassium, used twice a week.

• Tetra PlantaPro Micro — liquid fertilizer from a well-known manufacturer. Provides plants with all the necessary microelements for healthy growth and maintaining a bright color. It is recommended to add to the aquarium every week.

• Tetra PlantaPro Macro – liquid fertilizer for effective growth of aquarium plants. Serves as a source of nitrogen and phosphorus, necessary for good development of water lilies.

Reproduction

Both vegetatively and from seeds, you can grow new plants. In the latter instance, the daughter water lily is planted in silted soil after being cut off from the parent plant’s base. The young plant will get its initial nutrition from it. Fertilizer would not be unnecessary to encourage the growth of shoots.

Variations and forms of the plant

Water lilies come in a wide variety in the natural world. We will go into greater detail about a few of them.

• Tiger water lily, also known as tiger lotus. The homeland of this plant is Africa, from where the water lily was then spread throughout the world. There are red and green tiger water lilies, bred through selection. The plant is suitable even for beginner aquarists. It is quite unpretentious, blooms regularly and has a distinctive feature in the form of spotted leaves. It is advisable to grow a tiger water lily in a large aquarium, since it takes up a lot of space. The plant reproduces using shoots.

• Nymphaea micrantha. Another type of water lily with spotted leaves. It is noteworthy that rich red blotches are observed only on underwater leaf plates. Leaves located above the water are completely green. After the emergence of above-water leaves, a peduncle is formed, on which a beautiful flower appears. The plant reaches 30 cm in height.

Feature	Description
Plant Type	Aquatic flowering plant
Common Name	Starry water lily
Flower Color	Blue, violet, or pink
Lighting	Bright light, 8-12 hours per day
Water Temperature	22-28°C (72-82°F)
pH Level	6.5-7.5
Growth Rate	Moderate
Placement	Midground to background in the aquarium
Special Care	Prune dead leaves and remove excess plants to prevent overcrowding

Nymphaea stellata is a true gem in any garden pond or aquarium, with its gorgeous star-shaped blooms. Its striking foliage and colorful flowers not only add to the beauty of the aquatic environment, but they also foster a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere.

Due to its ease of maintenance, this water lily is a favorite option for aquarists of all skill levels. Nymphaea stellata can flourish and add a hint of organic elegance to your water feature with the right temperature, lighting, and occasional pruning.

The starry water lily is a great option if you want to add some interest to your aquarium or just enjoy the peace and quiet it provides. It’s a fantastic addition to any aquatic setting because of its beauty and ease of care.

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