Aquatic Lily Bulbs

Rhizomes and Tubers

• Rhizomes are thickened underground stems that produce new growth along their entire length. Tubers are thickened roots or underground stems that differ from rhizomes in that they have specific bud eyes that produce new growth. Tubers are similar to bulbs in that food is stored within the tuber.

Rhizomatous Aquatic Lilies

• Nuphar lutea, Nymphaea spp. hardy water lilies and Nymphaea caerulea grow from rhizomes. These rhizomes should be planted horizontally in containers. The containers can then be anchored in 1- to 4-foot deep water.

  N. lutea, commonly known as yellow pond lily or spatterdock, produces 2-inch diameter yellow flowers with leaves as large as 16 inches in diameter. Nymphaea spp. hardy water lilies are sterile aquatic lily hybrids in a variety of bloom colors and sizes. N. Pygmaea Helvola produces 1- to 2-inch diameter pale yellow flowers.

  N. caerulea, or Egyptian blue water lily, has pale blue flowers 4 to 6 inches in diameter. These aquatic lilies can be grown in cold-winter climates as long as the rhizomes are lifted each fall and stored indoors over the winter. They can be replanted in the pond after the water reaches 70 degrees.

Tuberous Aquatic Lilies

• Nymphaea odorata and N. tropical water lilies grow from tubers. They should be planted in containers at a 45-degree angle so that the bud eye is at the same level as the soil. N. odorata can be grown in water 3 inches to 6 feet deep. N. tropical water lilies grow in 6- to 12-inch deep water.

  N. odorata (alligator bonnet and fragrant water lily) goes dormant for the winter and grows back in the spring when the water warms. The species produces white flowers with yellow centers anywhere from 4 to 9 inches across with round leaves. The Sulfurea cultivar blooms in yellow, while the Turicensis cultivar produces pale pink flowers.

  N. tropical water lilies are available in a variety of flower sizes and colors. N. "Tina" produces 6-inch diameter purple-blue flowers and 9- to 10-inch diameter leaves. N. "Antares" produces 6- to 10-inch diameter dark red flowers and leaves that are bronze when they first emerge. Tropical water lilies can be grown outdoors in cooler climates while water temperatures remain above 70 degrees. The tubers must be lifted and stored throughout the colder months.

Aquatic Lilies with Bulbs

• Nymphaea maculata and N. stellata aquatic lilies have bulbs when they are young seedlings. However, these bulbs are actually the seeds from which the young lilies grew. The bulbs eventually decompose or fall off during shipping and handling by which time the young lilies have usually developed roots. Both of these types of aquatic lilies require water temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees.

  N. maculata, known as tiger lotus lily, produces 2.5-inch diameter white flowers. The red tiger lotus has red leaves with darker red markings, while the green tiger lotus has green leaves with red markings. The leaves on both types are purple underneath.

  N. stellata, the dwarf aquarium lily has greenish- or reddish-brown leaves and can grow to 12 inches in diameter. Leaves that do not break the surface of the water are generally less than 4 inches in diameter. They bloom in either blue or red.