Why Are Water Lilies Added to the Pond?

Tranquil water lilies

Water lilies (Nymphea spp.) languidly float atop ponds. They come in two types, tropical and hardy. Some tropical water lilies bloom in the day, others at night. Hardy water lilies are day bloomers and are capable of changing colors.

Protection

Water lilies have broad, floating leafs. When they cover a pond's surface, they limit light from reaching the pond's depth, which prevents the growth of algae and allows pond life to thrive. The Texas AgriLife Extension Service recommends covering a pond surface 50 to 75 percent with water lilies.

Planting Considerations

Water lilies have exotic-looking blooms.

To thrive, tropical lilies need temperatures of at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night and at least four hours of direct sunlight daily. Hardy water lilies thrive when temperatures are 50 degrees or higher.

Planting

The University of Illinois Extension advises planting water lilies in heavy, clay loam soil. Plant hardy water lilies in containers that are about 15 inches in diameter and 10 inches deep. Plant tropical water lilies in containers 20 inches in diameter and 10 inches deep. Plant hardy water lilies at a slight angle; center tropical water lilies in the container. Cover the soil with a little more than 1/2-inch layer of pea gravel. Tropical water lilies need 12 inches of water over their crown. Hardy water lilies require water depths of 12 to 18 inches over the container's top.

References

• Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas A&M System: Plant Life
• University of Minnesota Extension Service: Containor Water Gardening; Beth R. Jarvis
• University of Illinois Extension: Water Gardening

Resources

• Colorado State University Extension Planttalk Colorado: Water gardening--Winterizing Water Lilies
• The Sarah P. Duke Gardens: Water Lilies Gallery