As the name implies, tropical water lilies will not tolerate freezing temperatures. Therefore, in northern, temperate zones, they are used as rather expensive annuals. Some people try to over winter them indoors but most attempts seem to fail. 

On the plus side, tropical water lilies are among the most beautiful, showy flowers to adorn the backyard pond. They are divided into two categories, day bloomers and night bloomers. A question that often arises is "What good is a night blooming flower? Isn't it too dark to see?"

This is a logical question but there is a good answer. They are called night bloomers but they really begin to bloom in late afternoon as the sun begins to wane. So, they are opening up just as most of us get home from a long day of work when we can enjoy them. 

Tropical water lilies need warm water to grow and bloom. Generally, they should not be added to the pond until water temperatures reach 70 degrees F. 

Tropical lilies form crowns and should be planted in deeper pots. The crown should be placed in the soil near the top and covered with only as much media as is needed and then 1 inch of gravel leaving the growing point above the soil and gravel.

Tropical water lilies are stunning and also can be blue or purple. Plant them in mid-June and enjoy their exciting blooms into October. Panama Pacific with its plum-colored flowers is a perennial favorite. Leopardess is a giant plant with exotic mottled leaves and blue blooms. St. Louis Gold is a smaller, yellow variety. A recent introduction is Josephine with purple-tipped, white flowers. Rhonda Kay is a purple star lily with blooms reaching 16 to 18 inches above the water. Red Flare, Antares and Jennifer Rebecca are showy red, night-flowering varieties.

Tropical Day Blooming Lilies

Tropical Night Blooming Lillies