Winter care of Tropical Waterlilies 2009-2010

In any given year you would consider water gardeners overwintering tropical waterlilies likley in Northern states. With such short growing seasons in the north its actually people in hardiness zones 6 and south that have more luck overwintering.  This winter was long and hard all the way to the Gulf Coast. Darren, a good water garden friend in Austin Texas, recently shared photos of two places indoors he overwintered some really special tropical lilies.

The first is the wonderful ‘Infinite Love’ (aka Daisy), developed by Ken Landon.  Since there are probably less than a half dozen of this variety in existence it is great news that the lily is finishing up its indoor stay in very good condition.

     In the fall Darren brought Infinite Love into the house in a small container and it has been living without moving water (though partial water changes) in a container in the Kitchen.  The big leaves from the summer come off and the plant has gone dormant with little shoots remaining.

    The collection in Austin includes a few more tropical lilies including some special varieties from Thailand. Darren has these potted in a similar fashion an kept in the Garage with frequent partial water changes. So far the lilies are doing well and are just a couple weeks away from going back outside. Be sure to let the lilies go without fertilizer while indoors. The plant will have slow if any growth and will focus much of its effort on the tuber under the soil rather than leaves or buds.

Below is the summertime Photo of Nymphaea: Infinite Love which is now in the house.

internationalwaterlilycollection.com

If overwintering lilies is not worth the trouble you can find full grown blooming tropical waterlilies here. Or for lilies that survive all 12 months outside all the way into Canada check out the Hardy Waterlilies.