Nymphoides cristata (Crested Floating Heart)

Nymphoides cristata (Crested Floating Heart) is a rhizomatous aquatic perennial boasting floating, heart-shaped, green leaves, 3 in. across (7 cm), with red margins. Resembling small water lily leaves, they are borne on long stalks and create a lovely backdrop for the hundreds of small, star-shaped, fragrant, white flowers that rise on small stalks above the leaves. Blooming from late spring through early fall, the blossoms have petal lobes with a ruffled crest, hence the common name. Native to Asia, Crested Floating Heart may require some control as it propagates by viviparous plantlets at the leaves. The plant grows rapidly as fragments of the plant are spread by wind, flowing water, boats, and trailers. It can cover the entire surface of the water, shading out and outcompeting native vegetation. Intentionally introduced in the U.S. as an ornamental plant in water gardens, it has escaped captivity and is reported as being invasive in several U.S. States.

• Grows up to 3-6 in. tall (7-15 cm) and 12-36 in. wide (30-90 cm).
• Performs best in full sun to part shade in organically rich and wet soils. Can be grown in shallow water on the margins of a pond or in containers submerged in up to 12-24 in. of water (30-60 cm).
• Crested Floating Heart is well suited to growing in small pools and tub gardens.
• No serious pest or disease issue.
• Propagate by viviparous plantlets.
• Native to Asia – India and Sri Lanka to Taiwan and north into China.
• Find where Nymphoides cristata is invasive in the U.S.