Photo: Oleg KosterinCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Malayan Water Lily Plant Care
Barclaya longifolia Wall.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Barclaya longifolia is a striking aquatic plant known for its long, slender leaves with a vibrant red hue that adds a pop of color to any aquarium. Originating from Southeast Asia, this plant is popular among enthusiasts for its unique appearance and ease of care.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
72–78°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Malayan Water Lily?
Water Malayan Water Lily every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 72–78°F (22–26°C) and 60–80% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Malayan Water Lily Native To?
What Is the Malayan Water Lily?
Malayan Water Lily (Barclaya longifolia) belongs to the Nymphaeaceae family within the Barclaya genus. Malayan Water Lily is native to the region of Indo-China to Northwest Peninsular Malaysia. Malayan Water Lily is also known as Longleaf Barclaya.
Malayan Water Lily displays an aquatic perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately . Malayan Water Lily produces showy, fragrant flowers in shades of pink, red, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Malayan Water Lily?
Barclaya longifolia requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Malayan Water Lily Need?
Malayan Water Lily thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Malayan Water Lily Prefer?
Barclaya longifolia grows best at temperatures of 72–78°F. Malayan Water Lily prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
72–78°F
Humidity
60–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Malayan Water Lily?
Rich loamy soil with a high organic content, such as a mix of peat moss and aquatic plant soil. Good drainage is essential for Malayan Water Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Malayan Water Lily?
Feed Malayan Water Lily every month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Malayan Water Lily?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Malayan Water Lily?
Malayan Water Lily can be propagated through division of rhizomes, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to motley's barclaya plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Malayan Water Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Malayan Water Lily, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Malayan Water Lily?
Malayan Water Lily is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, leaf miners. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Malayan Water Lily Need?
Malayan Water Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Malayan Water Lily is native to the region of Indo-China to Northwest Peninsular Malaysia. In cooler regions, grow Malayan Water Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10b – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Malayan Water Lily is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Barclaya genus — compare its care with other Barclaya species on PlantoScan.
Barclaya is part of the Nymphaeaceae plant family — browse all Nymphaeaceae genera and species.
Malayan Water Lily thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Barclaya longifolia Wall., family Nymphaeaceae (first published in Trans. Linn. Soc. London 15: 442 (1827)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Malayan Water Lily, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Oleg Kosterin, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10b – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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