Water lily care guide
Nymphaea
Also known as: Hardy water lily, Dwarf water lily, Tropical water lily
Pets and children
We haven't been able to confirm how this plant affects pets or small children. If any is eaten, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
How often to water Water lily
- Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
- Every 3 days
- Read watering as topping up: about every two to three days in summer, replace what has evaporated so the leaves do not end up above the surface.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov)
- Every 7 days
- Evaporation slows, so top up about once a week and remove dead leaves and flowers before they foul the water.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Every 14 days
- Even in dormancy, keep the crown under water by topping up about every two weeks.
Light and placement for Water lily
As a guide, full sun outdoors, since it generally flowers poorly with less than about six hours of sun; choose a spot where wind does not churn the surface, and keep the water deep in midsummer so it does not overheat.
Overwintering Water lily
Overwintering guide: 0°C (32°F) or above
A hardy water lily winters outdoors under water, as a guide deep enough that the crown does not freeze; a tropical one is generally cold-sensitive and is moved indoors above 10°C or its tuber lifted and stored in damp sand.
Fertilizing and repotting Water lily
Fertilizer
It needs feeding to flower well: as a guide, push a solid aquatic-plant fertilizer into the soil about once a month from April to September; scattered on the surface it generally just clouds the water and feeds algae.
When to repot
Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
Common problems with Water lily
- Short of sun it makes only leaves and no flowers.
- Left undivided, the crowded rhizome flowers less each year.
- A tropical water lily left outdoors over winter dies.
Tips for growing Water lily
- Repot and divide from March to May, planting in heavy clay soil before submerging the pot.
- Removing old leaves and thinning a crowded surface lets light in and encourages flowers.
- A few medaka keep mosquito larvae out of the bowl.
These are AI-generated general guidelines. They vary with the variety, the placement and the pot size. For effects on pets or children, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
Keep your plant log going
Greenery is a free app that keeps your plant care going, with watering reminders and photo records. Available on iOS and Android.
