Water Lilies (Nymphaea) can be divided into two main categories: Hardy and Tropical.  For Water Lilies, we recommend and encourage you to select a mixture of plants from both categories to experience both types of blooms.

Selection: You might be asking yourself: How will I know what to select? Should I consider beautiful Tropical Water Lilies with their array of bright green, dark green, mottled or speckled pads, and with blooms that reach high above the surface of the water? Do I want blooms in shades of blues or purples that are not available in the Hardy varieties? Tropical Water Lilies are a whole other flavor as compared to Hardy varieties of Water Lilies, which are beauties in their own category. Tropical blooms are typically more intense in color, larger in size, are also more fragrant and available in gorgeous blue and purple colors.  Exciting night-blooming varieties are also available in Tropical Water Lilies.  Hardy Water Lilies will survive with less care and in far colder temperatures.

Photo Credits this page: Lisa P.

Tropical Water Lilies thrive in warmer climates, and will not winter over well, if at all, in freezing conditions. Thankfully in our San Diego Southern California climate, most of the Tropical Lilies we grow do winter over pretty well and come out of dormancy alive in the Spring, but this is not always a sure thing. This risk depends greatly on the temperature in your pond and weather conditions in your area. The risk of losing them over winter is well worth the reward of brilliance you can display in your pond or water garden during the friendlier months of the year.

Hardy Water Lilies are considered perennials. They require a winter dormancy period like the Tropicals do, but they fare much better at surviving colder conditions. Some of our personal favorites, like Helvola Dwarf, are also of the Hardy variety. Hardy blooms typically sit on the surface of the water, and there are only a few varieties in the Hardy category that have speckled pads. There are some varieties that bloom high above the water surface.

Hardy bloom open on the surface of the water.

Lilypad patterns vary among Tropical Lilies.

Winter:  All Water Lilies require a dormancy period in the winter to regenerate and then to ‘re-awaken’ strong for you again in the Spring. Do not panic in the winter when you see the majority of your Water Lilies drop their leaves, as they are going dormant for winter.

How To Plant:  All of our Water Lilies are sold potted correctly in the appropriately sized container depending on the individual lily.  You can split and re-pot them yourself each year as needed, using regular garden soil from your yard. Clay type soil is best, and avoid floating material such as vermiculite or wood mulch. We can also pot your water lilies for you for a small fee if you bring them to us.

Feed: Water Lilies NEED to eat! It takes a lot of effort to produce those blooms. We fertilize each plant using aquatic plant tabs starting in early Spring, and then about every six weeks through the summer. The general rule of thumb is use one tab per gallon of soil. All Water Lilies and Lotus' purchases include an extra supply of several feeder tabs. You can purchase aquatic plant tabs from us if we have them in stock, or you can also purchase them via mail order from one of the listings on our Links & Resources page. 

Placement:  Water Lilies in general do not like to be close to rapidly moving or splashing water. Keep this in mind when you think of where you will place your plants in your pond or water garden. Most Water Lilies prefer atleast 18 - 24” of water depth from the crown of the plant to the water surface, and an ambient temperature of atleast 60 degrees, and perform best with
4 – 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. For the smaller dwarf varieties which are great choices for the tub or barrel pond, the same rules apply but the plant depth will be 12 – 14”.

Tiny bloom on the Helvola Dwarf Water Lily.