Plant Profile The Assorted Hardy Water Lily Pack is the ultimate way to bring classic, vibrant beauty to your indoor water garden or outdoor pond setup. Each grower's choice 5-pack includes an assortment of hardy lily bulbs ready to sprout round floating pads supported by long, elegant stalks. As these aquatic lilies grow, they create a protective floating canopy that shades your water to suppress algae, keeps water temperatures cool, and provides a safe, peaceful shelter for fish. Best of all, as summer arrives, these floating plants for aquariums and ponds reward you with striking, multi-day blossoms ranging in shade from radiant yellow and pink to pure white or deep orange. Key Features & Benefits Assorted 5-pack of hardy bulbs produces iconic floating lily pads and vibrant summer blossoms in yellow, pink, white, or orange. Broad floating leaf canopy provides essential overhead shade that cools water and starves out unwanted algae growth. Extensive surface pads and root structures create an inviting, stress-free sanctuary for pond and aquarium fish. Care & Planting Instructions Plant rhizomes at a 45-degree angle in nutrient-rich substrate, leaving them only partially covered, with the growing tip kept fully exposed to prevent rot. Submerge planted bulbs 1 to 2 feet below the water surface in an area receiving full sun for at least six hours daily to ensure healthy foliage and flowers. Insert aquarium or pond fertilizer tabs into the soil annually to replenish key nutrients for the heavy-feeding root system. Hardy lily bulbs will survive winter underwater as long as the rhizome itself does not freeze solid. Overwinter bulbs in freezing climates by removing them from the water and storing them in a bag filled with damp sand and peat moss at 50–55°F. Remember that water lilies are strictly aquatic plants and will not survive in terrarium or dry environments. Propagate established plants by dividing the rhizomes during routine spring maintenance. Quick Facts Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth! Attribute Specification Scientific Name Nymphaea spp. Common Name(s) Water Lily, Hardy Pond Lily Family Nymphaeaceae Plant Type Floating Plant / Tuberous Lily Pad Height / Size Bulbs 4–8 in. | Stems reach surface (1–2 ft. depth) Care Difficulty Easy Light Requirement Full Sun (Minimum 6 hours daily) CO2 Requirement Not Required Placement / Usage Deep Pond Substrate with Surface Leaf Canopy Growth Rate Fast Water Parameters pH 6.5–7.5 | Temperature 50°F–85°F (10°C–29°C) Propagation Method Rhizome Division Origin Asia / Cosmopolitan Frequently Asked Questions 1. How do I plant my Water Lily bulbs properly without causing them to rot? Plant the rhizome at a 45-degree angle in heavy soil or aquatic substrate. Press the bulb into the soil firmly, but make sure the growing tip (where the leaves sprout) remains entirely above the substrate surface. Burying the growing crown completely will trap moisture and cause the rhizome to rot. 2. What should I do with my Water Lilies during cold winter months? Hardy Water Lilies can remain in outdoor ponds over winter as long as the water at depth does not freeze solid into the bulb layer. If you live in a climate where shallow ponds freeze through, lift the bulbs in autumn and store them indoors in a sealed bag filled with damp sand or peat moss at 50–55°F until spring. 3. Why should I trim off flower stalks after my water lily finishes blooming? Once water lily petals drop, the plant naturally shifts its energy toward developing a seed pod. Pruning the spent flower stalk below the water surface with sharp shears prevents the lily from exhausting its nutrient reserves on seed production, directing that energy into growing fresh floating leaves and new flower buds instead.
