Heartleaf water-lily Plant Care
Nymphoides cordata (Elliott) Fernald
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Nymphoides cordata, the little floatingheart, is a species of floating aquatic plant native to eastern North America.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Heartleaf water-lily?
Heartleaf water-lily grows best in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the Heartleaf water-lily Native To?
What Is the Heartleaf water-lily?
Heartleaf water-lily (Nymphoides cordata) belongs to the Menyanthaceae family within the Nymphoides genus. Heartleaf water-lily is native to eastern North America. Heartleaf water-lily is also known as Water-heart.
Heartleaf water-lily displays a floating aquatic plant growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Heartleaf water-lily produces small, delicate yellow flowers held above the water's surface.
What Light Does the Heartleaf water-lily Need?
Heartleaf water-lily thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Heartleaf water-lily?
Rich, loamy soil with good moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Heartleaf water-lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Heartleaf water-lily?
Does not require potting as it is a floating plant. 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 Heartleaf water-lily?
Heartleaf water-lily can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to water snowflake plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Heartleaf water-lily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Heartleaf 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 Heartleaf water-lily?
Heartleaf water-lily is susceptible to aphids, snails, algae. 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.
Keep exploring plants
Heartleaf 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 Nymphoides genus — compare its care with other Nymphoides species on PlantoScan.
Nymphoides is part of the Menyanthaceae plant family — browse all Menyanthaceae genera and species.
Heartleaf water-lily thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Nymphoides Species
Other Nymphoides species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Nymphoides cordata (Elliott) Fernald, family Menyanthaceae (first published in Rhodora 40: 338 (1938)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Heartleaf 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.
- 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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