Tropical Water Lilies
Day Bloomers
(please click on any lily name to view a photo and description)

Tropical water lilies can be planted out when the average water temperature is 70 degrees or above. Planting too early will cause the plant to go dormant and cause a long delay in growth and blooming. Use a half bushel or larger container for potting. A sixteen quart tub is usually sufficient for small pools. Remember that larger tubs and larger boxes provide larger plants and larger flowers. Mix night and day bloomers throughout the pool so that you have beautiful flowers both night and day.

Mix good, rich garden soil with well-rotted or composted cow manure at the rate of four parts of garden soil to one part manure. Avoid packaged potting soils; they are not suitable for water lily culture. Fill the container half full with the soil and manure mixture and add one-half cup (4 oz. per 1/2 bushel) of 10-10-10 fertilizer. Mix thoroughly and fill the container to within two inches of the top with good garden soil only. Plant the lily upright in the center of the container. Firm the soil around the lily roots, leaving the crown (where the stem and roots connect) level with the soil line. If the crown is too deep, the plant will not grow and will most likely die. Add an inch of washed sand or gravel to prevent fish from fouling the water.

Carefully lower the planted container into the pool to a depth of six inches to start growth. After the plant is established, the depth can be increased to twelve to eighteen inches. If the pool is too deep, put bricks or blocks under the containers to bring them up to the proper depth.