A glistening pond filled with lush green lily pads and vibrant blooms is a charming addition to any garden. However, not all water lilies are right for small ponds. To enjoy success growing water lilies in petite ponds, focus your search on compact, dwarf varieties.
What Makes a Pond “Small”?
When selecting water lilies, the first step is determining if your pond truly qualifies as small Here are some general guidelines on pond sizes
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Small pond Less than 100 square feet surface area; 1-2 feet deep
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Medium pond: 100-300 square feet surface area; 2-3 feet deep
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Large pond: Over 300 square feet surface area; 3+ feet deep
Larger, spreading water lily varieties can overwhelm tiny ponds. Choose petite lilies for ponds under 100 square feet and 1-2 feet deep. These compact water gardens will showcase dwarf lilies best.
Best Hardy Lilies for Small Ponds
Here are top performers to consider for your petite pond:
Baby Red
- Vibrant red and green color
- Blooms late spring to fall
- Leaves spread 1-2 feet
Helvola
- Bright yellow 2-3 inch blooms
- Heavily mottled round leaves
- Leaves spread 1-2 feet
Hermine
- Classic white flowers with yellow centers
- Blooms spring to fall
- Leaves spread 1-2 feet
Pygmy
- Pale yellow blooms
- Round green lily pads
- Leaves spread 1-2 feet
Mini Yellow Sensation
- Sunny yellow blooms
- Compact growth habit
- Leaves spread 1-2 feet
Perry’s Baby Red
- Vivid reddish blooms
- Green rounded leaves
- Leaves spread 1-2 feet
Chubby
- Lavender-pink flowers
- Green speckled leaves
- Leaves spread 1-3 feet
These hardy dwarf lily varieties thrive in small ponds, providing color and interest without overwhelming the compact space.
Planting Hardy Water Lilies
When introducing water lilies to your petite pond, follow these tips:
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Plant in spring once water temperature is above 60°F.
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Plant in ponds 1-2 feet deep, with 5+ hours of sun.
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Use loamy potting mix formulated for aquatic plants.
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Plant crowns just above the soil surface.
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Fertilize with tablets formulated for water lilies.
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Space plants 1-2 feet apart to prevent crowding.
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Add a thin layer of gravel or sand to prevent soil from disbursing.
Proper planting and care will give your petite hardy lilies the best start. Be sure to give them adequate fertilizer and ample sun exposure.
Caring for Hardy Water Lilies
To keep your compact water lilies thriving season after season:
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Fertilize monthly with underwater tablets during the growing season.
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Prune dead leaves and spent blooms regularly to encourage new growth.
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Thin congested plants to improve air circulation and light.
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Propagate by dividing crowded root crowns every 2-3 years.
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Monitor water quality and pH to prevent algae and nutrient deficiencies.
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In winter, cut back foliage and sink pots to the bottom of the pond.
With a little TLC, your hardy dwarf lilies will flourish in petite ponds for years of beauty.
Enjoying Hardy Water Lilies
Water lilies instantly lend ponds elegance and tranquility. By selecting compact varieties suited to small water features, any garden can benefit from these aquatic wonders. Be sure to shop our top selections of hardy dwarf water lilies specifically bred for maximizing charm in small ponds. Soon you’ll enjoy a personal paradise filled with their delightful blossoms.
Perennial (Winter Hardy) Water Lily Cultivars 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 will form in the pond. Hardy lilies if they ever would perish in winter are more likely to do so from stress of being overgrown and without any sunlight for a lengthy period where snow builds up over the ice above the plant for weeks on end. A pond de-icer therefore actually saves more than fish in snowy northern areas, it may save a water lily. Though in most instances these survive fine at 2 or 3 feet deep especially medium and large varieties. If growing in a cointainer in a lined pond be sure they are not overcrowded and split every 1 to 2 years.
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Save Water Lillies and Live Pond Plants Being able to bloom for longer and having more petals than Helvola, this small waterlily is a better choice for ponds or tub gardens. Winter hardy in all.
Save Water Lillies and Live Pond Plants Shipping Spring and Summer. The White Hot Hardy Waterlily is a medium-sized waterlily that can range in color from a deep sunset pink base to almost white on top.
Save Water Lillies and Live Pond Plants The fragrance is more pronounced compared to other hardy lilies– especially on the first day flowers. Fragrance And Fortune has a very unique, bright yellow color that doesn’t have any peach tones in it at all. Much, much.
Save Water Lillies and Live Pond Plants Honey-golden stamens add interest while the pads are green with red blotches. Andreana Waterlily is small in size but BIG on beauty. The flower is beautiful and the pads are simply stunning!This little gem will grace.
Save Water Lillies and Live Pond Plants Sunny Pink Hardy Waterlily has.
Planting a Hardy Water Lily, Growing Water lilies for flowers
Do lilies fit in a pond?
Match the size of plant to the size of pond. Large lilies should be given at least 100 square feet of open water space. The small ones will get lost in a big pond and are more suitable to small ponds and other small water features, including water tubs.
Are dwarf lilies good for a pond?
Maybe you’re new to growing aquatic plants. Dwarf and miniature water lilies are perfect for all these situations. If you do not have a “water feature” or a pond then these little gems could make the perfect addition to a small patio container pond or a table top water bowl.
Which lilies are best for a container pond?
Nymphaea “Perry’s Baby Red” has brilliant red double flowers, also a good choice for a container pond. Hardy Vs. Tropical Water Lilies
How do you grow water lilies in a pond?
Hardy Water Lilies: Choose from many beautiful colors. Lilies are shipped bare root to promote the best growth. Gravel or Pebbles (Optional): These can be used to top your media and help conceal the pot in your pond. As you assess what you need, make sure to order your supplies along with or ahead of the water lily itself.