With their elegant flowers and lush leaves, water lilies transform ponds and water features into stunning focal points If you want to add water lilies to your landscape, you may wonder where to find these aquatic plants close to home. Fortunately, several options exist for conveniently purchasing water lilies nearby.
Check Local Nurseries and Garden Centers
Many independent nurseries and large garden stores carry water lilies seasonally. Visit garden centers in your area and check for:
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Hardy water lily tubers – These establish quickly when planted directly in ponds in spring Hardy varieties surviving winter in ponds in climates with mild freezes.
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Tropical water lilies – Sold as potted plants and requiring warm water (70-85°F). Tropical lilies produce colorful flowers into fall but require winter storage in cold climates.
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Popular varieties – Ask for heat-tolerant, fragrant, or prolific bloomers. ‘Chromatella’ and ‘Arc-en-Ciel’ are two hardy lily classics. ‘St. Louis Gold’ and ‘General Pershing’ are tropical favorites.
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Lily care guides – Reputable nurseries offer growing tips and instruction sheets. Review sunlight, spacing, fertilization, and overwintering needs.
Searching for “water plants near me” or “aquatic plants near me” online can help you find retailers carrying water lilies in your county or region. Visit stores in person to pick the best plants.
Order Water Lilies Online
Can’t find water lilies at local stores? Order them online for delivery directly to your door. Reputable online sources include:
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Water gardening specialists – Companies like Florida Aquatic Nurseries and Pond Megastore focus solely on water plants, offering 100+ water lily varieties and expert growing guidance.
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General plant websites – Large plant sellers like Lowes carry a selection of popular water lilies that ship nationwide.
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Amazon – Potted water lilies from third-party vendors are available on Amazon. Look for healthy, vigorous plants with good reviews.
Order early for the best selection, allowing 6-8 weeks for delivery. Tubers ship March-May, potted tropicals April-June. Prepare ponds before plants arrive.
Check for Local Water Garden Clubs
Connect with water gardening enthusiasts in your community. These clubs often sell plants at meetings or events. Club members also share division extras and swap varieties.
The Water Garden Society offers a club locator to help find local chapters. Or search for “[your city] pond club” online to find groups. Joining a club is a great way to access plants and expertise.
Gather Water Lilies from Public Gardens
Some public gardens with waterlily ponds or conservatories allow you to gather a few fallen leaves or flowers as souvenirs or for propogation at home. Call ahead to ask about policies.
For example, Missouri Botanical Garden’s historic Victorian lily pools produce leaves and flowers that wash ashore seasonally. Chicago Botanic Garden and Atlanta Botanical Garden also boast waterlily collections. Visiting such gardens can provide inspiration.
With a bit of persistence, you can find water lilies available for purchase or propagation near you. Do some research, tap into local resources, and soon you’ll be enjoying these beautiful aquatic plants in your own pond or water feature.
Buy proper water lilies and plant the correct in containers. We can help, 150 types.
FAQ
Where do you find water lilies?
What month is best to plant water lily?
Do water lilies come back every year?
How do you plant water lilies?
Planting Hardy Water Lilies: It is best to plant hardy water lilies in a heavy clay garden soil. Light weight organic compost or potting mix will float out of the container and not keep your water lily planted. The crown of the water lily (the growing end) should be placed towards the center of the planting container.
What are water lilies?
Water lilies are among the most romantic and iconic blooms, bringing to mind European gardens and famous French works of art.
Can water lilies be planted in a container?
Light weight organic compost or potting mix will float out of the container and not keep your water lily planted. The crown of the water lily (the growing end) should be placed towards the center of the planting container. DO NOT cover the crown of the water lily with soil or gravel. Doing so may kill your water lily.
How deep can water lilies grow?
Water lilies, specifically Medium & Large Winter Hardy Water Lilies, can grow at depths from 1 to 3 feet deep in pots or earth bottom ponds. In an earth bottom pond, they can potentially reach up to 4 feet deep. Fertilizer is vital for daily blooms as water lilies are quite heavy feeding plants.
Are water lilies perennials?
The hardy water lily is one of the most desired water garden plants as they produce magnificent blooms from late Spring and into early Autumn. Most hardy water lilies are perennials in zones 3-10. Hardy water lilies are available in white, red, pink, yellow, changeable, peach/orange, and now in purple. Hardy water lilies are not just for show.
Are water lilies hard to grow?
Though many assume they’re difficult to grow and require extraordinary effort, the truth is that hardy water lilies are easy-to-grow perennials that can be planted in small ponds and backyard pools as well as indoor containers.