Plant encyclopedia›Egyptian bean

Egyptian bean

Also known as: Egyptian lotus; Egyptian water lily; Egyptian white lotus; Indian bean; Indian lotus; Indian water lily; sacred bean; sacred lotus; sacred water lily; white lotus of the Nile; Hungarian lotus; Hungarian waterlily

A tropical, deciduous aquatic perennial with oval-shaped, green to reddish-brown leaves with purple spots. Fragrant, star-shaped white flowers with yellow centres appear from summer through until the autumn. Tropical waterlillies can be grown in milder areas within the UK but should be lifted and stored over winter in a warm greenhouse

Scientific classification

Species: Egyptian bean (Nymphaea lotus)
Genus: Nymphaea
Family: Nymphaeaceae

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Toxicity: Aquatic
Plant type: 0.1-0.5 metres
Height: 0.5-1 metres
Spread: Deciduous
Foliage: Submerged
Habit: Spring · Summer · Autumn
Season of interest: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Egyptian bean pictures

Distribution of Egyptian bean

Distribution map

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Culture

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Toxicity

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Quick identification of Egyptian bean

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Egyptian bean care guide

Keep crown in shallow water or saturated aquatic soil
Watering: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Keep crown in shallow water or saturated aquatic soil

Fertilizing

Use aquatic plant feed lightly in growth season

Pruning

Deadhead and remove yellow leaves regularly

Propagation

Propagate by division of rhizomes or offsets in summer, place pots in shallow water until established

Growing

Grow in undisturbed water in full sun. Plant in baskets in loamy soil with crowns just below soil surface and covered with pea shingle. Position basket so that it is covered by 15-25cm of water; as the plants establish gradually lower the plants to a depth of 50-70cm. Feed during the growing season with aquatic fertiliser at the manufacturer's recommended rate. Lift and store in a warm greenhouse over winter. See waterlily cultivation for more advice

More growing and care information →