Lilly Pad Classification

Giant Water Lilies

• The largest lily pads in the world belong to the giant water lily (Victoria amazonica). Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 to 11, this tropical plant, native to the Amazon basin, is normally grown as an annual. Resembling giant floating trays, the leaves are circular with a waxy texture and upturned edges. Leaves may be up to 8.2 feet (3.2 meters) in diameter, with sharp spines along their undersides that help repel aquatic animals. A successful colony of giant water lilies may take up most of the surface of a body of water, shading out competing plants.

Round Green Leaves

• Blue Nile lily (Nymphaea cerulea), hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 12, is characteristic of many water lilies. Its rounded leaves are slightly notched at some edges and feature deep central sinuses or cavities where the stems attach to the flat portion of the leaf. Other varieties with similar leaf configuration and coloration include "Madam Wilfon Gonnere" (Nymphaea "Madam Wilfon Gonnere"), hardy in USDA zones 10 through 11, also with mid-green leaves and white flowers freckled in rose-pink; and "Escarbouche" (Nymphaea "Escarbouche"), hardy in USDA zones 3 through 11, with darker green leaves.

Purple and Green

• Many water lily varieties bear rounded leaves splashed, striped or flushed with bronze or purple on the top or underside. The blue Cape water lily (Nymphaea capensis), hardy in USDA zones 10 through 11, features large, round green leaves with purple undersides. "General Pershing" (Nymphaea "General Pershing"), hardy in USDA zones 10 through 11, bears darker, olive green leaves splashed with purple and accented with wavy edges that complement the pink flowers. Young leaves of "Froebelii" (Nymphaea "Froebelii"), hardy in USDA zones 3 through 11, emerge bronze and then age to pale green.

Water Lily Culture

• For optimal leaf and flower production, water lilies need proper culture. Site the plants in still water in full sun or very light shade. If starting from rhizomes (rather than potted specimens), plant rhizomes in buckets or pots with the bud end slightly above the surface of the soil. Position in 9 to 16 inches of water that is at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If possible, remove faded flowers and leaves as the growing season progresses to avoid fouling the water. In the fall, dig, dry and store rhizomes in covered, ventilated containers of slightly moist sand.