🌸 Water Lily: Growing Guide
Water Lily (Nymphaea) grows best in full sun with a wet, aquatic setting, and does well at 0–35 °C (32–95 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.5–7.5. Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart. Expect 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Nymphaea |
|---|---|
| Category | Aquatic |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Aquatic |
| Plant spacing | 60 cm (24 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| Comfortable temperature | 0–35 °C (32–95 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season) |
| Sowing depth | 0 cm (0 in) |
| Height | 0–5 cm (0–2 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Continental | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Oceanic | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Subtropical | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Tropical | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest |
| Cold / Northern | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Aug.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Jul.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Plant out: Mar · Harvest: Apr–Jul.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Harvest: Feb–Jan.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Plant out: Jun · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
Watering
Water about every 1 day in summer and about every 1 days in winter. Aquatic, lives in water.
Growing tips
For ponds or tanks. Oxygenates the water. Hardy vs tropical. Monet's inspiration!
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Common pests and problems
Frequently asked questions
Water Lily: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Aug. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Jul.
Water Lily: how often should I water it?
Water about every 1 day in summer and about every 1 days in winter. Aquatic, lives in water.
Water Lily: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 60 cm (24 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 0 cm (0 in).
Water Lily: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Water Lily: which plants grow well with it?
Lotus.
Water Lily: which pests and problems should I watch for?
Water lily aphids.
Plan your garden
Add Water Lily to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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