Water lily, queen of the water plants

Water lily is certainly one of the most beautiful aquatic plants.

Main Water lily facts

Name – Nymphea x hybrida
Family – Nymphaeaceae
Type – aquatic plant, perennial

Height – 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm)
Exposure – full sun
Soil – with high levels of humus, heavy

Foliage – deciduous – Flowering – Summer

This easy-to-grow plant simply needs a small body of water for the water lily to grow.

Planting water lily

Planting is performed in spring and of course at the bottom of the body of water: 6 inches (15 cm) of water are enough for most species, although some may require a greater depth.

• Put some heavy clay soil in a pot or tray for the plant to remain weighted to the bottom, and plant the water lily in it.
• Spread rocks over the soil to keep it from floating back up.
• Special baskets designed for planting water lilies can be found in horticulture stores, they help water circulate well without letting the soil disperse throughout the water basin.
• There are even specific soil mix preparations for aquatic plants.
• Once your basket is ready, immerse it in water. Ideally, let it rest about 24 inches (60 cm) deep.

When purchasing your water lily, check that its base is well developed underwater and that it seems quite vigorous, with a few buds that are about to open.

Regular care for water lily

Once properly settled in, your water lily won’t need any follow-up and will simply bloom year after year without even needing to touch it.

• If it starts to turn invasive, simply pull out excess rhizomes regularly.

Of course, no need to water! Simply check that there is always enough water in the pond, minimum about 4 inches (10 cm).

Diseases and parasites that attack water lilies

Apart from ducks and the occasional muskrat that sometimes eat the rhizomes, only very few diseases have been seen to deplete the plant.

Indeed, it is a very hardy and resilient plant, and stress is perhaps the only factor that can endanger your water lily.

Learn more about water lily

Water lily is a plant native to Europe and North America which is simply sumptuous when in full bloom.

It is beautiful, and the fact that it grows in water entirely gives it an edge over other plants.

An aquatic plant with a rhizome, this perennial can make your pond its home for a very long time.

It is also possible to grow water lily in pots, large water drums or garden boxes that don’t let water drain on a terrace or balcony.

• A single water lily plant can cover up to a square yard (meter) of water surface.
• Water lily will thus settle right into your pond without any extra care at all.