Water lilies are a group of aquatic plants containing about 70 species in the waterlily family (Nymphaeaceae). They are native to many countries of the world and range from being ornamentals to weeds. The genus name is Latin for "water lily." They will grow in water from 3 inches to 2 feet deep depending on their size. The spread is variable from 2 feet to about 12 feet. They prefer loamy soil with a neutral pH in non-moving or slow-moving water. Most prefer full sun, but some will tolerate some shade. They are heavy feeders so use a fertilizer appropriate for water lilies and follow container directions. Viviparous water lilies form plantlets attached to the mother plant and are propagated from these. If rhizomatous or tuberous roots are present, they can be divided in spring for propagation The flowers are showy in various colors and often fragrant with showy lily pads that can be green to mottled. Flowers can be floating or held above the leaves. There are three main types of ornamental water lilies: Hardy: These water lilies go dormant in winter and will survive if the rhizomes are planted below the freeze line. Most are day-blooming and come in red, white, pink, yellow, peach and orange. The pads are thicker with smooth edges and are green to lightly mottled. Flowers tend to be smaller and are borne at the water's surface (appearing to float on the water) though some will hold the flower above the water.. Tropical Night Blooming: Tropical water lilies are treated as annuals in temperate locations and generally have larger, more fragrant flowers in a larger variety of colors than hardy water lilies. The lily pads tend to be thinner with wavy to frilly edges and are more colorful. The night-blooming lilies open in the evening and close by mid to late morning of the following day. Tropical Day Blooming: These water lilies open from 7:30 to 9:30 am and close between 4:30 pm and just before sunset. Use these plants in a water garden, pond, or container. Larger plants need larger water gardens or ponds, while small ones do well in containers. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Watch for crown rot, waterlily aphids, waterlily beetles, midges, and leaf spot
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Available space
12 inches-3 feet; 6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 10 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Spreading
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Cream/Tan; Green; Red/Burgundy; Variegated
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf margin
Entire; Undulate
Leaf feel
Leathery
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, > 6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The lily pads can be small to large and come in green to variegated with cream or red. Margins can be entire, frilly or wavy
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
> 6 inches
Flower detail
Flowers are up to 12 inches across and come in various colors. Many will bloom throughout the season.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Green
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The capsule starts out green and dries to brown when the three chambers split open to release seeds
Stem color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Stems can be green to reddish
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, Austria
Distribution
Most of the world
Wildlife value
Water lily leaves provide a landing pad for thirsty bees while offering shelter for aquatic wildlife beneath the surface. The shade cast from the leaves also helps to prevent the growth of algae.
Attracts
Bees; Frogs; Reptiles
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves; Flowers
Fruit type
Capsule
Edibility
In some parts of the world the leaves and flowers are eaten in moderation.
Uses (ethnobotany)
Tannins extracted from rhizomes are used in dyeing wool a purple-black or brown