Roundleaf yellow pond lily Plant Care

Nuphar orbiculata (Small) Standl.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Nuphar orbiculata is a species of rhizomatous aquatic plant native to the US-American states Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.

💧Aquatic Plants
Water

Every 2–4 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

70–90%

At a glance

How do you care for Roundleaf yellow pond lily?

Water Roundleaf yellow pond lily every 2–4 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 70–90% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Roundleaf yellow pond lily Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Roundleaf yellow pond lily?

Roundleaf yellow pond lily (Nuphar orbiculata) belongs to the Nymphaeaceae family within the Nuphar genus. Roundleaf yellow pond lily is native to the US-American states Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Roundleaf yellow pond lily is also known as Yellow pond lily.

Roundleaf yellow pond lily displays an aquatic perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. Roundleaf yellow pond lily produces large yellow cup-shaped flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Roundleaf yellow pond lily?

Nuphar orbiculata requires watering every 2–4 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 2–4 days

Let soil partially dry between waterings

What Light Does the Roundleaf yellow pond lily Need?

Roundleaf yellow pond lily thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Roundleaf yellow pond lily Prefer?

Nuphar orbiculata grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Roundleaf yellow pond lily prefers humidity levels of 70–90%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

70–90%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Roundleaf yellow pond lily?

Rich loamy soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Roundleaf yellow pond lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Roundleaf yellow pond lily?

Feed Roundleaf yellow pond lily every 6 months 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 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

How Do You Repot a Roundleaf yellow pond lily?

Repot every 2-3 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 Roundleaf yellow pond lily?

Roundleaf yellow pond lily can be propagated through division of rhizomes, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to yellow pond lily plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Roundleaf yellow pond lily Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Roundleaf yellow pond 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 Roundleaf yellow pond lily?

Roundleaf yellow pond lily is susceptible to aphids, leaf miners, snails. 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 Roundleaf yellow pond lily Need?

Roundleaf yellow pond lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Roundleaf yellow pond lily is native to the US-American states Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. In cooler regions, grow Roundleaf yellow pond lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Roundleaf yellow pond 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 Nuphar genus — compare its care with other Nuphar species on PlantoScan.

Nuphar is part of the Nymphaeaceae plant family — browse all Nymphaeaceae genera and species.

Roundleaf yellow pond lily thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Nuphar Species

Other Nuphar species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Nuphar orbiculata (Small) Standl., family Nymphaeaceae (first published in Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Bot. Ser. 8: 311. 1931) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Roundleaf yellow pond 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.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • 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.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Roundleaf yellow pond lily Instantly

Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species