Nymphoides aquatica (Floating Heart)

Nymphoides aquatica (Floating Heart) is a decorative aquatic perennial boasting floating, heart-shaped, green leaves with red-purple undersides. Resembling water lily leaves, they are borne on long stalks and create a lovely backdrop for the small white 5-petalled flowers that arise from below the leaves. Blooming from late spring through early fall, the blossoms give way to fruits that sink after ripening. Floating Heart will grow either fully or partially submerged from thick banana-shaped tubers (hence the common name of Banana lily) that store the nutrients. Native to the southeastern United States, the Floating Heart occurs naturally in slow-moving rivers, creeks, and ponds. Easy care, it is adaptable to most conditions, including deep water and low light. It can be grown rooted or as a floating plant and can produce floating or submersed leaves. The floating Heart is a common pool and aquarium plant and is also an excellent floater for a small garden where a water lily might be too aggressive.

• Grows up to 2-6 in. tall (5-15 cm) and 2-4 in. wide (5-10 cm) in an aquarium. Grows up to 14 in. tall (35 cm) and 18 in. wide (45 cm) outdoors.
• Performs best in high to bright conditions if grown indoors. Prefers 2-3 hours of direct light or indirect or filtered light all day if grown outdoors. Bury 1/3 to 1/2 of the roots in a 4 in. pot (10 cm) filled with clay soil or other substrate and place it in the pond. Within its hardiness zone, this plant can be planted directly in the pond or water garden’s soil. Feed with a high-quality aquarium liquid or substrate fertilizer.
• Great for bog gardens, pond areas, water gardens, or aquariums.
• No serious pest or disease issue. Keep an eye out for snails and plecos.
• Propagate by seeds or by vegetative splitting from separated leaves or cuttings.
• Native to the southeastern United States from Texas to Maryland.