Which Water Lilies Will Endure The Cold Season?

Tropical water lilies, like hibiscus and bougainvillea, do not have a short day-induced winter dormancy period, making them considered annuals in outdoor ponds unless given special treatment. Hardy water lilies can overwinter well by moving them to the deepest part of the pond. Overwintering hardy water lilies is not necessary unless the pond is likely to freeze solid, including the roots. Container-grown lilies also appreciate extra care before Old Man Winter sets in.

The two main divisions of waterlilies are hardy and tropical. Hardy water lilies will survive winters if planted below the freezing line in a water feature, while tropical water lilies need to be. The most simple and successful way to ensure your lily’s survival through the winter has been the same answer for tropical flower gardeners for decades: bring the lilies into a container. Hardy lilies are suitable for Northern climates that freeze during the winter months, as they can survive on the bottom of your pond or water feature (depending on its depth). Over the winter months, the pot holding the water lily root system must be gently urged to sink to the bottom of the pond.

Hardy water lilies go dormant by Late November and are extremely tough, surviving the harshest of winters with no help from you. As long as your pond does not freeze completely, your lily is protected by the unfrozen water at the bottom of the pond. Hardy water lilies need no protection in winter, and their leaves will die in late autumn. Perennial (Winter Hardy) Water Lily Cultivars can survive winter in almost any location properly planted many weeks before the first frost and below where ice occurs. Most hardy water lilies should be planted in 12″-24″ of water to make it through the winter.

Hardy water lilies benefit from a long, cold, winter rest period, but don’t let the rhizomes freeze or dry out. Growth resumes in April. Umbrella Palm, Dwarf Papyrus, Little Giant Papyrus, and White Arum lilies will survive the winter indoors and make excellent houseplants. Other varieties are also available.

Can lilies survive winter?

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map divides North America into 11 zones, each 10°F warmer or colder than the next. To determine your zone, visit the National Gardening Association’s website and enter your zip code. After flowering, avoid watering and let the plant die back. Cut foliage until it withers, allowing bulbs to store energy for winter. Lily bulbs don’t thrive in damp, soggy soil, so improve soil drainage to prevent rotting.

What do water lilies look like in winter?

Winterizing water lilies is a crucial process that begins before winter arrives, regardless of whether they are hardy or tropical. In late summer, stop fertilizing the plants, signaling them to prepare for cold weather. The water lilies will grow tubers, providing food for them over winter, and enter dormancy, slowing their systems down. They will typically grow small leaves, while larger leaves will turn yellow and die.

For hardy water lilies, move them to the deepest part of the pond to insulate them from repeated freezing and unfreezing. For tropical water lilies, lift them from the pond after the first frost and check for properly formed tubers. Place them in water-filled containers, such as aquariums with grow or fluorescent lights, plastic tubs under lights, or glass or plastic jars placed on windowsills. Store them bare-rooted in the water, replacing the water weekly and keeping the temperature around 70 degrees F. (21 C.). In spring, replant the water lily in a growing pot and place it back into the pond after the last frost date.

How do you protect water lilies in the winter?

Tropical lilies can be planted in ponds in San Antonio, Dallas, or Fort Worth, and early to mid-May in west Texas. They will begin to sprout new leaves in 3-4 weeks using rich, fertilized soil and placed in a shallow area with 2-4″ of water over the pot. For an earlier bloom season, they can be forced to sprout in February inside an aquarium with a heater set to 70°F and 12-14 hours of light per day.

If you have a greenhouse, your tropical lily can be trimmed back and placed in a small tub or temporary pool at a constant temperature of at least 65°F. In an unheated cool greenhouse or cold frame, the lily will usually go dormant. Once the plant is growing, it can be divided if necessary and repotted in fresh, fertilized soil for the new season.

If you have a large natural pond, leaving the lily in the pond is the best method, as the bottom layers of the pond retain enough warmth to protect the tubers from cold damage. For added peace of mind, you can construct a “tent” of clear plastic over your pond for the winter. Night bloomers, a group of tropical water lilies, reliably survive Gulf Coast winters, even in the 1983 winter when temperatures were in the teens for several consecutive days.

What happens to water lilies in winter?

Hardy water lilies are not susceptible to damage from winter weather, as their foliage dies off naturally in late autumn. It is recommended that the plants be removed and fished out of the water to prevent decay. They remain in a dormant state until the water temperature increases, and they are not well-suited to environments with fluctuating water levels. Therefore, they should be situated at a distance from the splashes produced by pond fountains. To view the complete range of products, please click here.

Is lily winter Hardy?

Lilies thrive in full sun or partial shade and can survive winters in hardiness zones 4-9. They can be planted in early spring or fall, providing mid to late summer flowers. Lilies are suitable for perennial gardens, with varieties such as Asiatics, double Asiatics, LA Hybrids, Trumpets, Oriental lilies, and OT Hybrids. To maintain a colorful perennial garden, plant Asiatic lilies and shorter Oriental lilies towards the front of borders, while other types should be planted towards the back.

Do water lilies survive winter?

As winter approaches, waterlilies prepare for the harsh winter by preparing for the colder months. Hardy lilies go dormant by late November, and they can survive the harshest winters without assistance. As long as the pond doesn’t freeze completely, the unfrozen water at the bottom protects the lily. When the lily starts growing in March or April, it’s time to repot it in fresh, fertilized soil for another season of lush blossoms.

Tropical waterlilies are tender perennials that can survive all but the harshest winters in zone 9. To prepare them for winter, stop fertilizing them in mid-October and encourage them to form small, hard, and durable tubers. When the plant is in full dormancy, remove the pot from the pond, rinse the soil off the roots, air dry the tubers, and store them in a glass jar or clear plastic bag filled with tap water.

Plant the tubers in the pond in mid-April for San Antonio, Dallas, or Fort Worth, and early to mid-May for west Texas. They will begin to sprout new leaves in 3-4 weeks. For an earlier bloom season, force the tubers to sprout in February inside an aquarium, set the heater to 70°F, and keep the grow light on for 12-14 hours per day.

Can water lilies survive winter?

As winter approaches, waterlilies prepare for the harsh winter by preparing for the colder months. Hardy lilies go dormant by late November, and they can survive the harshest winters without assistance. As long as the pond doesn’t freeze completely, the unfrozen water at the bottom protects the lily. When the lily starts growing in March or April, it’s time to repot it in fresh, fertilized soil for another season of lush blossoms.

Tropical waterlilies are tender perennials that can survive all but the harshest winters in zone 9. To prepare them for winter, stop fertilizing them in mid-October and encourage them to form small, hard, and durable tubers. When the plant is in full dormancy, remove the pot from the pond, rinse the soil off the roots, air dry the tubers, and store them in a glass jar or clear plastic bag filled with tap water.

Plant the tubers in the pond in mid-April for San Antonio, Dallas, or Fort Worth, and early to mid-May for west Texas. They will begin to sprout new leaves in 3-4 weeks. For an earlier bloom season, force the tubers to sprout in February inside an aquarium, set the heater to 70°F, and keep the grow light on for 12-14 hours per day.

How to tell the difference between hardy and tropical water lilies?

Hardy and Tropical Water lilies are two types of lilies, with hardy lilies being smaller and having a floatable surface, while tropical water lilies have a long, 12 inch tall stalk. They come in vibrant colors like blues and purples and are showier than their hardy counterparts, which are typically yellow, white, and pink. The Tropical Lily has thin, scalloped, or irregular leaves, while the Hardy Lily has round, thick, waxy leaves.

Nymphaea odorata, also known as the American white waterlily, is a fragrant white flower with a purple underside of lily pads. These lilies are native to the United States and were first planted by Walter Shaw. White-water lilies have striped tuberosa stems and a green underside of lily pads, and can be distinguished from the American white waterlily by their underside color and the shape and number of their flower petals.

Can water lilies grow in cold water?

Waterlilies are hardy plants that require a water temperature of at least 21˚C (70˚F) during the growing season and 10˚C (50˚F) in winter. They are best grown in a warm greenhouse or conservatory. This popular aquatic plant can transform a pond into a Monet-inspired masterpiece with its elegant bowl-shaped blooms in summer and distinctive circular lily pads providing shelter for aquatic wildlife. Available in various sizes, they bloom in late spring and summer and prefer sun and still water.

How to overwinter tropical water lilies?

To overwinter tropical lilies, remove the tuber from the pot and rinse it thoroughly. Save small tubers as they are more likely to make good plants next spring. If the tuber still has root or stem tissue attached, let it air dry for a few days. Wash the tuber well and place it in a plastic bag or jar filled with distilled water. Store it in a cool, dark place and check the container monthly for foul or discolored water.

Start spring growth by placing the container in a bright, warm place. When sprouts emerge, pot the tuber in a shallow pan of sand and place it in a larger container of water. Keep the container in a sunny, warm spot with water temperatures between 70-75 degrees. Use a small aquarium heater or fluorescent grow light to supplement natural light.

When leaves grow up to the water’s surface and white feeder roots can be seen, snap the little plantlet off the tuber and pot into a standard growing container. Place in the outdoor pond when water temperatures are at least 70 degrees consistently. Discard the old tuber, as the new plant will soon make a full-size, blooming plant.