Growing water lilies in a pond brings beauty and serenity to a backyard.
Water lilies (Nymphaeaspp.)
are more than pretty plants.
Credit: Jennifer L. Peterson
They also contribute to pond health.
Water lilies also shelter fish from birds of prey and filter out excess nutrients to further inhibit algae growth.
Water lilies are available in arainbow of color options.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Many of the hardy varieties have soft, pastel flowers.
Tropical varieties come in jewel tones of bright blues, purples, oranges, and yellows.
Many varieties have a lovely fragrance, too.
Credit: Bill Stites
You dont need a pond for growing water lilies; theyll thrive in a big tub on your patio.
Keep theseaquatic plantscontained in ponds and pots.
Some water lily varieties can be invasive in the wild and compete with native plants.
Credit: Bill Stites
You want it to be heavy.
Lower the planted pot into the pond or tub at an angle to allow air to escape.
Set the base of the pot 12-16 inches deep.
Credit: Sherry Lubic
As they grow, the leaves will float to the surface.
If your plant has leaves already developing, place the container so the leaves are 6-8 inches deep.
Some can bloom in four to six hours ofpartial shade, but none bloom in deep shade.
Credit: Bill Holt
Dont use a lightweight soil mix.
Temperature and Humidity
Hardy water lilies are available for a wide range ofhardiness zones.
Check with a supplier for the varieties that perform best in your area.
Credit: Bill Holt
Pruning
Water lilies may need regular grooming of leaves as they begin to yellow and die.
Potting and Repotting a Water Lily
Water lilies grow to the size of their pot.
There is no need to repot them unless you want them to grow even larger.
Credit: Bill Holt
Pests and Problems
Water lilies can attractaphids.
If they do, submerge the leaves under water for a couple of days to drown them.
In early spring, lift the water lily completely out of the water and its container.
Credit: Bill Stites
Discard any tough woody portion of the original plant.
Add additional soil, but dont cover the area that has germinated.
Pour water in the container up to the germination point, but dont cover it.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Put the pot in a bright area until the leaves develop.
Just lower the plants to the bottom of the pond.
Store the entire pot by keeping it cool and moist in a plastic bag.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Types of Water Lilies
Hardy water lilies are agood choice for beginners.
They are dependable and easy to plant.
Their flowers are larger and more prolific, and some night-blooming varieties have vibrant, almost electric colors.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
The plant spreads 5-8 feet.
Zones 4-10
Colorado Water Lily
NymphaeaColorado delights with vivid pink-peach day-blooming flowers tipped in pale yellow.
Its new leaves are burgundy, adding extra interest.
Credit: Randall Schieber
The plants grow 3-5 feet across.
This fast-growing plant needs a large pond to show off its glory.
It spreads 6-12 feet.
Credit: King Au
It is adaptable to low light.
This plant spreads 3-4 feet wide.
Zones 8-11
Shirley Bryne Water Lily
NymphaeaShirley Bryne bears vibrant pink cup-shaped blooms during the day.
Credit: Bill Stites
Plants spread 6-8 feet.
The pale pink flowers open in daytime and fade as they age.
Plants spread to 4-5 feet wide.
Credit: Bill Stites
It spreads 4-5 feet.
This dwarf variety is perfect for petite ponds and container gardens, and it tolerates light shade.
The dark green leaves have red undersides.
Credit: Helen Norman
The plant spreads 5-6 feet.
Held above the foliage, the white blooms are 6-8 inches in diameter.
Plants spread 5-7 feet wide.
Credit: Denny Schrock
It spreads to 2-3 feet.
It is vigorous, flowers freely, and flourishes in larger ponds.
Plants spread 4-5 feet.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
This free-flowering variety continues to produce blooms into the fall.
Plants spread 5-7 feet.
It spreads 3-5 feet.
Credit: Bill Stites
The green foliage is mottled with reddish brown.
It spreads 4 feet.
Zones 9-11
Midnight Water Lily
NymphaeaMidnight produces small, lightly fragrant lavender blooms during the day.
The plants spread 4-6 feet.
The plants spread 4-5 feet.
Year-round blooming is possible in frost-free areas.
Under optimal conditions, water lilies can live 15-20 years or longer.
Although water lilies are aquatic plants, they cant grow only in water.
They need a container of soil, perlite, or some other growing medium to survive.
