Water lilies are some of the most iconic aquatic plants, known for their beautiful floating flowers and large round leaves. But did you know there are actually many different types of water lily plants?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the diverse world of water lilies. We’ll look at the major categories, popular varieties, their unique features, and how to care for these aquatic wonders in your own pond or container water garden.
Overview of the Main Water Lily Types
While over 70 species of water lilies exist they mainly fall into two broad categories
Hardy Water Lilies
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Can survive winter frosts and go dormant
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Ideal for outdoor ponds in temperate climates.
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Produce cup-shaped flowers above round or heart-shaped leaves.
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Examples include American natives like the fragrant white water lily (Nymphaea odorata).
Tropical Water Lilies
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Need warm water (70°F+) to thrive year-round.
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Must be grown indoors or treated as annuals in cooler regions.
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Flowers are more star-shaped and stand tall above leaves.
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Examples include the giant Amazon water lily (Victoria amazonica).
Within these groups exist many popular water lily varieties with different flower forms, colors, sizes, blooming habits, and more.
Popular Hardy Water Lily Varieties
Hardy water lilies can withstand freezing winters, making them perfect additions to outdoor ponds and pools in temperate climates. Here are some of the most popular hardy lily varieties:
Marliac Water Lilies
Developed by French horticulturist Joseph Bory Latour-Marliac, Marliac lilies feature fragrant, cup-shaped blooms. Popular varieties include:
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‘Albida’ – Pure white flowers that open wide
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‘Carnea’ – Soft pink blossoms on burgundy leaves
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‘Chromatella’ – Bright yellow 4-5 inch flowers
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‘Escarboucle’ – Velvety deep red blooms
European Hardy Water Lilies
Vintage European water lilies are prized for their large, fragrant blooms. Some varieties include:
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‘Gonnere’ – Pale yellow flowers on mottled leaves
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‘Gladstoniana’ – White blossoms with yellow centers
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‘Attraction’ – Vibrant red double blooms
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‘Rose Arey’ – Deep pink double flowers that rebloom
Odorata Water Lilies
Known for fragrant, cup-shaped flowers, popular Odorata lilies include:
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‘Alba’- Classic white water lilies with yellow centers
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‘Luciana’ – Frilly soft pink flowers
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‘Fabiola’ – Stunning double creamy blossoms
Vibrant Tropical Water Lilies
Tropical water lilies require warm water to thrive but provide unique and vibrant blooms. Here are some top varieties:
Day Blooming Tropicals
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‘Mrs. George H. Pring’ – Ruffled pink and cream flowers
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‘Dauben’ – Lavender blooms with dark undersides
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‘Albert Greenberg’ – Bright rosy pink flowers
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‘Panama Pacific’ – Buttery 6-8 inch yellow blossoms
Night Blooming Tropicals
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‘Emily Grant Hutchings’ – Deep fuchsia flowers on mottled leaves
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‘Midnight’ – Royal blue flowers with yellow centers
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‘Queen of Siam’ – Vibrant pink petals that fade to purple
Miniature and Dwarf Water Lilies
Miniature water lilies stay under 6 inches wide, perfect for small ponds and containers. Some top “dwarf” lily varieties include:
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‘Pygmaea Alba’ – All white miniature blooms
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‘Helvola’ – Bright yellow 2 inch flowers
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‘Rubra’ – Dainty deep pink dwarf lilies
How to Care for Water Lilies
While their needs vary slightly, most water lilies thrive with:
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6+ hours of full sun daily
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Still, shallow water around 12-48 inches deep
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Rich soil and aquatic plant fertilizer
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Water temperatures between 60-80°F
Tropical varieties require minimum water temps of 70°F while hardy lilies tolerate colder ponds. Miniature lilies can flourish in just 6 inches of water. Match the water lily type to your climate and growing conditions for success!
The Diverse World of Water Lilies
Water lilies offer a diverse range of flower forms, colors, sizes, and foliage to enhance ponds, pools, and containers. Discover new water lily varieties like hardy American natives, vintage European hybrids, vivid tropicals, and dwarf types. With their graceful beauty and lush leaves, water lilies transform water gardens into peaceful, flowering paradises.
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Perennial (Winter Hardy) Water Lily Cultivars Perennial (Winter Hardy) Water Lily Cultivars can survive winter in almost any location properly planted many weeks before the first frost and below where ice will form in the pond. Hardy lilies if they ever would perish in winter are more likely to do so from stress of being overgrown and without any sunlight for a lengthy period where snow builds up over the ice above the plant for weeks on end. A pond de-icer therefore actually saves more than fish in snowy northern areas, it may save a water lily. Though in most instances these survive fine at 2 or 3 feet deep especially medium and large varieties. If growing in a cointainer in a lined pond be sure they are not overcrowded and split every 1 to 2 years.
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Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today Plant description Cranberry Waterlily is a bold and exotic choice for the water garden, adding drama and intrigue. Cranberry Waterlily adds a new depth of color to the water garden palette. Beautiful, cranberry colored outer petals with darker red inner petals that are simply sublime! Blooms on this exciting hybrid…
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today Plant description Citrus Twist Waterlily is a HEAVY BLOOMING, hardy waterlily that blooms profusely!Citrus Twist Hardy Pink Waterlily is blush pink with a hint of sunshine over the petals, yellow-gold centers and lightly mottled pads. Citrus Twist adds beauty to any pond setting. Citrus Twist is another excellent hybrid from award winning hybridizer,…
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today Luxor Waterlily, A new Hardy ISG waterlily.The Luxor waterlily is a striking medium to large lavender purple waterlily with green pads. Be careful when dividing this waterlily, and be sure not to overly bury its rhizome. It needs fertilizer; it cannot be planted in stone and is like a…
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today Torch of Bali is a new Hardy Water Lily, though a cross between a normal hardy water lily and a tropical water lily to create what is called an intersubgeneric ISG waterlily. These are hardy to around plant Zone 6 and should be kept in shallow, sunny spots in winter…
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today Sugar Crystal is a new high-petal count white water lily from hybridizer Tony Moore. This lovely waterlily sports beautiful green lily pads below the white large flowers. Best in a 15 inch containter with loam soil in full sun. Place the container in 6 to 20 inches of water when planting…
Rhonda Kay Purple Water Lily at PondMegastore.com
FAQ
What is the easiest water lily to grow?
Many of the whites are more vigorous and Nymphaea ‘Escarboucle’ is regarded as the easiest red. If you yearn for water lilies and do not have a pond do not despair. Dwarf nymphaeas such as Nymphaea ‘Pygmaea Alba’ can be grown in a barrel pond on the patio.
What kind of lilies grow in water?
- Albert Greenberg. Nymphaea Albert Greenberg.
- Arc En Ciel. Nymphaea Arc En Ciel.
- Avalanche. Nymphaea Avalanche.
- Blue Beauty. Nymphaea Blue Beauty.
Is there a difference between lily and water lily?
The water lily petal is pointed and creates a star-like bloom; the lotus petal is more rounded, sometimes ruffly. Lily flowers last longer, up to two weeks, then wilt and fall beneath the water; the lotus has a significant seed pod that continues to grow above the water after the inflorescence has passed.
What is the most common water lily?
Nymphaea odorata (American white water-lily) | Native Plants of North America.Feb 21, 2023