Tropical Water Lilies

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Tropical Water Lilies for Spectacular Pond Color

Tropical water lilies produce the most dramatic, exotic blooms of any aquatic plant — bold purples, electric blues, vivid pinks, and stunning bi-color combinations that hardy lilies simply cannot match. Play It Koi carries a selection of tropical water lily varieties that thrive in warm summer conditions and produce flowers held several inches above the water surface, creating a striking visual effect. While tropicals are typically treated as annuals in cooler climates, their show-stopping beauty makes them well worth replanting each season.

Day-Blooming vs. Night-Blooming Tropicals

Tropical water lilies come in two distinct groups. Day-blooming varieties open their flowers in the morning and close by late afternoon, making them perfect for ponds enjoyed during daytime hours. Night-blooming tropicals open at dusk and remain open through the night and into the following morning — an enchanting feature for evening entertaining or ponds with landscape lighting. Night bloomers tend to have larger flowers and stronger fragrance than their daytime counterparts.

Growing Tropical Water Lilies

Tropicals require warm water above 70 degrees Fahrenheit to thrive and should not be planted outdoors until summer temperatures are established. Plant the tuber in a round pot with aquatic soil and position it so the crown sits at the water surface with 6 to 18 inches of water above. Full sun — at least six hours daily — is essential for prolific blooming. Tropical lilies are heavier feeders than hardies, so fertilize with aquatic plant tabs every three to four weeks during the growing season.

Tropicals in the Water Garden

For a diverse water garden, combine tropicals with hardy water lilies that return each year, lotus for dramatic height and foliage, and floating plants for additional coverage. Oxygenating plants improve water quality beneath the surface. Browse the complete pond plants collection for everything needed to create a lush, layered aquatic landscape.

Play It Koi offers free shipping on orders over $99. Contact our team for tropical lily availability and variety recommendations.