Nymphoides 'Taiwan' (Taiwan Lily) care guide
Nymphoides hydrophylla 'Taiwan' · Menyanthaceae
Nymphoides 'Taiwan' (Taiwan Lily) (Nymphoides hydrophylla 'Taiwan') is an aquatic plant. It belongs to the Menyanthaceae family. It is native to South, Southeast and East Asia (including Vietnam) – ponds and wetlands; the ‘Taiwan’ form comes from southern Taiwan. It needs medium light. Water temperature: 18°C – 28°C. pH: 6.0 – 8.0. Care difficulty: Easy. Growth rate: fast.
How do you care for Nymphoides 'Taiwan' (Taiwan Lily)?
| Light | Medium (grows in low light but then stretches to the surface and makes floating leaves; medium to high light keeps the underwater rosette compact) |
|---|---|
| CO₂ | Helpful, not required |
| Temperature | 18°C – 28°C |
| pH | 6.0 – 8.0 |
| Placement | Midground in large tanks, background in small ones |
| Growth | Fast |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Family | Menyanthaceae |
How do you trim and propagate Nymphoides 'Taiwan' (Taiwan Lily)?
Thin regularly by removing the oldest leaves and any that reach or float on the surface, or it will shade the plants below. Propagate from the plantlets that form on old leaves (detach once rooted), plus runners and side shoots.
What problems affect Nymphoides 'Taiwan' (Taiwan Lily)?
Long stems racing to the surface with lots of floating leaves from low light; melting or rotting leaves from unstable water parameters; pale, slow growth from a root nutrient shortage.
How do you fix Nymphoides 'Taiwan' (Taiwan Lily) problems?
Raise the light and cut surface leaves off at the base; keep parameters stable; use a rich substrate or root tabs plus liquid fertiliser — it is a strong root feeder. It adapts to soft or hard water.
Where does Nymphoides 'Taiwan' (Taiwan Lily) come from?
South, Southeast and East Asia (including Vietnam) – ponds and wetlands; the ‘Taiwan’ form comes from southern Taiwan
What should you know before buying Nymphoides 'Taiwan' (Taiwan Lily)?
Nymphoides cristata (crested floating heart, sold as “water snowflake”), which Kew treats as the same species, is listed in Florida as a Category I invasive and a noxious weed: introducing, growing, possessing or releasing it there needs a state permit. It spreads mainly by plantlets formed under the leaves and survives freezing. Whether aquarium ‘Taiwan’ stock falls under the listing isn’t clear — check your local rules (especially in the US) and never release plants or trimmings.
Sources
- Nymphoides hydrophyllum (Lour.) Kuntze - World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew) via GBIF — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew / GBIF
- Nymphoides cristata (Roxb.) Kuntze (synonym of N. hydrophyllum) - WCVP via GBIF — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew / GBIF
- Nymphoides hydrophylla 'Taiwan' — Tropica Aquarium Plants
- Nymphoides hydrophylla 'Taiwan' — Dennerle Plants UK
- Nymphoides Hydrophylla Taiwan — Buce Plant
- Nymphoides hydrophylla — Wikipedia
- The Tell-Tale Crested Floating Heart: Rid your pond of this invasive plant — UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
Care details checked against these sources on 2026-09-23.
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