Cape Water Lily
Choose your option
• Vanilla-scented plant in a basket
• Mature height: 5 cm
• Placement: 10 to 40 cm
29,95
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- Shipped the next business day, Shipped choose your own delivery date
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🌿 Psst… Did you know you can plant our plants directly in the ground right now? Our selection is 100% hardy —perfect for planting all year round!
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Simons Pond Advice
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• From installation to maintenance
20,00
POND CARE Maintenance Kit 20,000 L
• All-in-one pond care
• 100% eco-friendly: for 1,000–20,000 L
• Safe for people, plants, and animals
Simons tip:
Order 2 packages at once (for spring + fall) and receive a free BLOOM BOOST worth €15 as a gift
The original price was:90,00 79,95The current price is:79,95
Complete Native Pond Kit3.000
• Makes your pond maintenance-free
• 116 plants + supplies
• Installation:1 to100
The original price was:980,00 945,00The current price is:945,00
Clear pond water without a pump or filter?
Make your pond clear and low-maintenance with our 6-step plan.
Simon's advice
Combine your water lily with floating oxygenating plants to keep your water clear and healthy, protect the water’s surface from heating up, and remove the nutrients that algae feed on.
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Advantage
Cape Water Lily + Oxygenating Plants
• Mini water lily in a basket
• 7 plants to combat algae
• Depth: 10 to 40 cm
- Description
Description
Simon van der Velde
Aquatic Plant Grower
Aponogeton distachyus
The Cape water lily blooms when the weather is cool, with a vanilla scent
Blooms early and lateHardySun and shade
Tip from SimonThe Cape water lily blooms when the weather is cool—in early spring and again in the fall—and has a light vanilla scent. Despite its name, it’s not a true lily but an aquatic plant that thrives in shallow water. Plant it in a basket with STEP ONE at -1 cm, meaning 1 cm of water above the rim of the basket. Do not place any stones on top of it, as this will cause it to rot. Shallower water provides more warmth and light, resulting in faster growth.
About this product
Add a touch of South African sunshine to your pond with the Cape water lily. This unique aquatic plant instantly transforms your pond into an oasis of tranquility. The fresh green leaves provide shade and protection for fish and other underwater life, while the vanilla-scented flowers offer a sensory delight. The plant also helps limit algae growth and contributes to a cooler pond environment. Easy to plant, it grows on its own and is suitable for virtually any pond.
What makes this product special
The Cape water lily (Aponogeton distachyos) is anything but ordinary. Unlike many other lilies, this plant blooms several times a year, often in both spring and fall. That makes it unique among its kind. The vanilla-like scent of the flowers is striking, and bees are drawn to this plant as well. Thanks to its vigorous growth, you’ll see results quickly after planting. And yes, you can safely leave it outside in the winter; this water lily is surprisingly hardy for an exotic species.
Quality and origin
Our Cape Water lilies Grown organically, without artificial lighting, heated greenhouses, or chemical pesticides. That means you get a strong, healthy plant that adapts to your pond—not the other way around. You’ll receive an organic aquatic plant that not only lasts for years but also helps keep your pond naturally balanced. No fuss, just a sustainable choice you’ll enjoy year after year—even if you leave it alone for a while.
Practical Information
Delivery includes:
• 1 Cape water lily (Aponogeton distachyos)
• 1x Professional pond basket (L19xW19xH10 cm)
• 1x Special pond plant clay (800 grams)
• 1x Soil substrate (800 grams)
• 1x Cover gravel (400 grams)
• 1x Aquatic plants (8 grams)
• Includes detailed instructions and pond planting advice
Frequently Asked Questions
View the questions and answers
• How fast does this water lily grow and bloom?
After planting, the water lily first takes firm root, followed by new leaves and buds. The warmer the water, the faster it grows. In its first season, it blooms sparingly; starting in its second year, the blooms become fuller and more abundant each season.
• At what depth should I place this water lily?
Place the plant 10 to 40 cm below the water's surface, measured from the top of the basket. Within that range, the plant will grow healthily and bloom most profusely.
• When does this water lily bloom?
Flowers appear from June through well into the fall, turning your pond into a serene, blooming focal point.
• Does a water lily help control algae?
Yes. The floating leaves provide shade on the water’s surface, keeping the water cooler and reducing the amount of sunlight that reaches the algae. In this way, the plant helps keep the water clear and maintains a healthy balance.
• What’s included in the package?
You’ll receive: 1 Mini Pink Water Lily (Nymphaea Pygmaea Pink), 1 Professional Pond Basket (L19xW19xH10 cm), 1 Special pond plant clay (800 grams), 1 Soil substrate (800 grams), 1 Covering gravel (400 grams), 1 Aquatic plants (8 grams), plus comprehensive instructions and pond planting advice. Everything is ready to use right away.
Reviews of this product
What Others Are Saying About Our Water lilies
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6/5 · 817 reviews of Water lilies
"Thanks to the lilies, the water stays cool and clear. There's no more algae since I got them, and my fish seem happy."
— Annemarie Kroon
"My fish are hiding under the leaves now. The heron can't catch them anymore!"
— Triene Thole
"The water stays 5 degrees cooler, and the algae are gone. Enjoy it every day!"
— Robert de Roon
"Fast delivery and healthy Water lilies plants that come back every year."
— Dorine Bern
"My Water lilies blooming for the third year in a row—top-quality plants, and my pond is thriving!"
— Elize Dubois
Here's what our customers say about vdvelde.com
Excellent 
817 reviews on 
Fenna Schmidt
My little city pond
Purchased: Pond Kit Red 100-400L
I’d been dreaming of having a small pond in my city garden for a while, but it always seemed like such a hassle. I found a complete kit online and decided to take a chance, even though I was skeptical about the quality of plants sent by mail. But to my surprise, everything arrived neatly and securely packaged. In no time at all, I had set up my little pond. To my delight, I saw the first water lily bloom after just two months, and as the icing on the cake, I discovered salamanders in my pond. No idea how they got there, but it just makes it even more fun. Truly a joy!
Lina Berger
The water is finally clear
Purchased: Native Pond Kit 1,500–3,000 L
No matter what I tried, the water in my pond just wouldn't clear up. After exchanging a few emails, I decided to order this complete kit, though to be honest, I wasn't very confident it would work.
The delivery was in good condition and the plants looked healthy. Not much changed during the first few weeks, but after about a month, the water slowly began to clear up.
Now the pond is really in perfect balance. The plants are growing well, and I can even see frogs among the leaves again. I'm really glad I gave this a try.
Susi Werner
A must-have for anyone with a pond (big or small)
Purchased: Simons Pond Advice
This book has completely met my expectations. It’s a fantastic guide full of great tips on pond construction, pond plants, and design.
I highly recommend buying this.
Great book!
Jules Chabot
Blue lily: beautiful!
Purchased: Blue Water Lily
Thank you very much for the generous shipment of the marsh irisIris blue”.
The new plants have been planted, and I'm curious to see if they'll bloom this year.
There’s good news about theBlue queenwater lily: It blooms in blue here too—and it’s absolutely stunning!
Bart Timmermans
Removing floor debris without a vacuum cleaner
Purchased: POND CARE Maintenance Kit
After years of accumulation caused by fish, a significant amount of silt had built up in my pond.
At first, I was thinking about getting a pond vacuum, but after talking to customer service, I decided to go with the bottom debris removal kit. I was skeptical, especially since the water got cloudy during the first week. But after a month, the sludge has decreased significantly. No hassle with a vacuum, and a great result!
I’m a fan.
Johanna Brink
Water lilies greater biodiversity
Purchased: Native Water Lily Field XL
As plant lovers, we were looking for a sustainable addition to our project. The Water lilies vdvelde turned out to be just what we were looking for. Planting the lilies was also a lot of fun. We had requested different varieties, and that wasn’t a problem at all. The delivery was handled professionally, and everything looked great. Within a week, we already saw leaves emerging above the water, and now several flowers are blooming.
Both we and our client are extremely pleased with the result.
Raphaël Blanchard
Oxygen-producing plants save my fish
Purchased: Oxygenating Plants Package 1,500–3,000 L
My fish were gasping for air, so I looked for an air pump. Then I read that oxygenating plants could solve this problem too. I ordered the package that fits my pond, and now my fish are swimming around carefree again. An added bonus: my pond water is much clearer. Happy fish, happy me!
Greta Schultze
I'm really happy with my little pond
Purchased: Pond Kit Red 25-90L
This handy kit helped me set up my mini pond in no time. It comes with everything you need!
The service and advice were excellent—much better than at the garden center, where nobody really knows anything.
Maria Maes
From maintenance to an organic swimming pond
Purchased: Plant Filter Package 8–12 m²
I was tired of constantly cleaning the pump, so I decided to convert my pond into a natural swimming pond. With the plant filter kit from vdvelde.com, it turned out perfectly! Now I enjoy a beautiful, natural filter and lovely swimming water.
Patrick Müller
Plants are growing much better now, and the water is crystal clear
Purchased: STEP ONE Pond substrate
Last year, I had a landscaper install a plant filter in my swimming pond, and he recommended lava rock and some plants from the local garden center. Unfortunately, it all went wrong; the plants died one by one, and I ended up with an algae infestation.
After contacting vdvelde, I was advised to replace the lava rock with Pond substrate to order some additional plants. Now, a few months later, the plants are growing well, and my filter is finally free of algae.