Water lily

Water lilies offer a floating mat of foliage crowned with resplendent blooms that open every morning, then close for the afternoon (though night-blooming water lilies open at night and close every morning). Each bloom generally last 3 to 4 days, and then is quickly replaced. In addition to the luminous color choices, water lilies are also often fragrant. Some dwarf varieties are available for container water gardeners. To keep lilies vigorous, divide them every 1 to 4 years.

Light:

Sun

Zones:

3-11

Plant Type:

Water/Bog Plant

Plant Height:

To 6 inches tall

Plant Width:

3 to 12 feet

Landscape Uses:

Containers

Special Features:

Attractive Foliage, Fragrant, Easy to Grow

Top Varieties

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Afterglow water lily

(Nymphaea 'Afterglow') offers magical coloring (pink flowers touched with shades of yellow and orange) on its very fragrant flowers during the day. Plants spread 6 to 8 feet. Zones 4-10
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Arc en Ciel water lily

(Nymphaea 'Arc en Ciel') offers showy foliage; each leaf is unique, with splashes of pink, yellow, cream, and sometimes red. The pale pink flowers open daytime and fade as they age. Plants spread to 4 to 5 feet wide. Zones 4-10
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Cape blue water lily

(Nymphaea capensis) is a day-bloomer that features light blue, fragrant flowers with a distinct star shape rise above the floating leaves in summer. The plant spreads 5 to 8 feet. Zones 4-10
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Carolina Sunset water lily

(Nymphaea 'Carolina Sunset') bears peach-colored blooms during the day to 8 inches wide. Zones 4-10
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Chromatella water lily

(Nymphaea 'Chromatella') bears small yellow flowers during the day, as well as attractive purple-mottled foliage. This dwarf variety is perfect for petite ponds and container gardens and tolerates light shade. Zones 4-10
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Colorado water lily

(Nymphaea 'Colorado') delights with vivid pink-peach day-blooming flowers tipped in pale yellow. Its new leaves are burgundy, adding extra interest. The plants grow 3 to 5 feet across. Zones 4-10
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European white water lily

(Nymphaea alba) bears cup-shaped white flowers, sometimes tinged pink, around a center of showy stamens. The dark green leaves have red undersides. The plant spreads 5 1/2 feet. Zones 5-11
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Fragrant water lily

(Nymphaea odorata) is a North American native that's fast growing and endowed with very fragrant flowers. Held high above the foliage, the white blooms range from 6 to 8 inches in diameter. Plants spread 5 to 7 feet wide. Zones 4-10
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George L. Thomas water lily

(Nymphaea 'George L. Thomas') offers shimmering, deep pink blooms during the day. This fast-growing plant needs a larger pond to show off its glory. It spreads 6 to 12 feet. Zones 4-10
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Helvola water lily

(Nymphaea 'Helvola') is a miniature day-blooming variety that produces small yellow flowers among leaves streaked with purple. It spreads to 2 to 3 feet. Zones 4-10
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Luciana water lily

(Nymphaea 'Luciana') is a classic day-blooming variety that blooms generously, with pink, 6-inch-wide flowers over a long season. It is adaptable to low light. This plant spreads 3 to 4 feet wide. Zones 4-10
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Marliacea Carnea water lily

(Nymphaea 'Marliacea Carnea') unfolds glowing flowers with a subtle pink blush during the day. It is vigorous, free flowering, and flourishes in larger ponds. Plants spread 4 to 5 feet. Zones 4-10
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Midnight water lily

(Nymphaea 'Midnight') produces small, lightly fragrant lavender blooms during the day. The plants spread 4 to 6 feet. Zones 8-11
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Mrs. George H. Pring water lily

(Nymphaea 'Mrs. George H. Pring') is an award-winning variety that features large day-blooming single white fragrant blooms with a ring of showy yellow stamens at the center. Zones 8-11
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Peach Glow water lily

(Nymphaea 'Peach Glow') features large, luminous peach flowers during the day that pale to white as they reach the end of their four-day bloom. This free-flowering variety continues to produce blooms into the fall. Plants spread 5 to 7 feet. Zones 4-10
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Rembrandt water lily

(Nymphaea 'Rembrandt') bears rose-pink blooms during the day that age to deep red. The plants spread 4 to 5 feet. Zones 4-10
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Shirley Bryne water lily

(Nymphaea 'Shirley Bryne') bears vibrant pink, cup-shaped blooms during the day. Zones 8-11
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Texas Dawn water lily

(Nymphaea 'Texas Dawn') is a glorious day-blooming hybrid that holds its clusters of large yellow flowers up to the sun. It spreads 3 to 5 feet. Zones 4-10
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