Water Lilies

Water lilies are rhizomatous aquatic perennial plants with rooted underwater stems. Tropical water lilies can only be grown in heated water or greenhouses in the UK, however most Nymphaea water lilies are hardy and don't require winter covering. If you're looking for a container pond centre-piece, dwarf and miniature water lilies are ideal, otherwise most water lilies grow to several meters wide. White Water Lily Nymphaea Alba is the only native British water lily and grows in medium to large pond sizes with submerged berry-like fruit.

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  • White Water Lily | Nymphaea Alba Pond Plants
    From £25
    From £25

    White Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Alba'

    The only native British Water Lily

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Thrives in full sun
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A medium waterlily ideal for middle sized to large ponds.

    5 options available

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  • Water Lily Darwin | Nymphaea hollandia Pond Plants
    From £25
    From £25

    Long Flowering Water Lily | Nymphaea hollandia 'Darwin'

    The softest pink double blooms

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Ideal for a sunny spot
    • Long summer flowering from June to October
    • Large waterlily, best for medium to large ponds and lakes

    5 options available

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  • Yellow Dwarf Water Lily | Nymphaea Pygmaea helvola Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Yellow Dwarf Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Helvola'

    A pond full of stars

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Thrives in a sunny spot
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • Dwarf waterlily, an extra small variety ideal for mini ponds and shallow water features

    2 options available

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  • Large White Water Lily | Nymphaea Virginalis Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Large White Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Virginalis'

    Elegant semi double white blooms

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Grow in full sun
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • Large waterlily, best for medium to large ponds and lakes

    4 options available

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  • Red Water Lily | Nymphaea Attraction Pond Plants
    From £25
    From £25

    Red Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Attraction'

    A symphony in rose

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Ideal for sunny ponds
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • Large waterlily, best for medium to large ponds and lakes

    5 options available

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  • Variable Water Lily | Nymphaea Aurora Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Variable Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Aurora'

    Glorious colour changes

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Flowers best in full sun
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A small waterlily, perfect for more compact ponds

    2 options available

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  • Colorado Water Lily | Nymphaea Pond Plants
    From £60
    From £60

    Flamingo Pink Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Colorado'

    Fabulous in Flamingo pink

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Grow in full sun
    • Late summer flowering from July to October
    • Large waterlily, best for medium to large ponds and lakes

    2 options available

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  • 3 Best Water Lily Plants For Any Size Pond | Growers Choice Pond Plants
    From £90
    £108 From £90

    Best Water Lily Plants for Any Size Pond | Growers' Choice

    The finishing touch for a beautiful pond

    • Zone 3 - deep water plants
    • Fill your pond with gracefully floating flowers
    • Our growers' best and brightest lilies for any size of pond
    • Provides shelter for pondlife and attracts pollinators

    2 options available

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  • Large Water Lily | Nymphaea Marliacea Carnea Pond Plants
    From £60
    From £60

    Large Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Marliacea Carnea'

    A classic in pink and white

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Thrives in full sun
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • Large waterlily, best for medium to large ponds and lakes

    1 option available

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  • Almost Black Water Lily Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    'Almost Black' Water Lily

    Dark and sophisticated

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Loves a sunny spot
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A medium waterlily ideal for middle sized to large ponds.

    4 options available

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  • White Water Lily | Nymphaea Gonnere Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    White Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Gonnère'

    The snowball waterlily

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Thrives in full sun
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A medium waterlily ideal for middle sized to large ponds.

    4 options available

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  • Fragrant Water Lily | Nymphaea odorata 'Firecrest' | 3L Pot Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Fragrant Water Lily | Nymphaea odorata 'Firecrest'

    A fragrant lily for small to medium ponds

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Thrives in full sun
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A small to medium sized waterlily ideal for all sizes of pond

    2 options available

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  • Yellow Water Lily | Nymphaea Marliacea Chromatella Pond Plants
    From £25
    From £25

    Yellow Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Marliacea Chromatella'

    Sunshine yellow all summer long

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Flowers best in full sun
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A medium waterlily ideal for middle sized to large ponds.

    6 options available

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  • Nymphaea Perry's Baby Red | Water Lily Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Red Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Perry's Baby Red'

    Compact, prolific and vibrant red

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • A sun-loving plant
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A small waterlily, perfect for more compact ponds

    2 options available

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  • Miniature Pond Collection With a Lily | 6 x 1L Pots Pond Plants
    £75
    £75

    Best Small Pond Plants Collection with a Lily | Grower's Choice

    The complete planting scheme for your small pond

    • Six perfect pond plants chosen by our expert grower
    • The best variety of colours, heights and types including a water lily
    • Hardy, easy care perennials
    • Attractive to bees, butterflies and birds

    1 option available

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  • Large Double Petal Water Lily | Nymphaea Mayla Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Large Double Petal Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Mayla'

    Dazzles in fabulous fuchsia

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Ideal for a sunny pond
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A medium waterlily ideal for middle sized to large ponds.

    2 options available

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  • Water Lily 'Gloire du Temple sur Lot' | Nymphaea | 3L Pot Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Blush Pink Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Gloire du Temple sur Lot'

    Glorious hundred-petalled pink lilies

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Thrives in full sun
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A medium waterlily ideal for middle sized to large ponds.

    2 options available

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  • Water Lily | Nymphaea Wanvisa Pond Plants
    From £40
    From £40

    Variegated Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Wanvisa'

    No two flowers are the same!

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Grow in full sun
    • Spectacular multi-coloured flowers from June to September
    • Voted Best New Waterlily

    2 options available

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  • Large Water Lily | Nymphaea Gladstoniana Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Large Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Gladstoniana'

    Luxuriant and free flowering

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Loves a sunny spot
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • Large waterlily, best for medium to large ponds and lakes

    4 options available

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  • Water Lily | Nymphaea Lemon Mist Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Lemon Mist'

    The centrepiece of a sunny pond

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Grow in full sun
    • Free flowering from June to September
    • Ideal for medium sized and average ponds

    2 options available

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  • Large Water Lily | Nymphaea Barbara Dobbins Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Large Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Barbara Dobbins'

    Perfectly peach

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Perfect for a sunny pond
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A medium waterlily ideal for middle sized to large ponds.

    4 options available

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  • Joey Tomocik Water Lily | Nymphaea Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Golden Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Joey Tomocik'

    Lemon yellow with a golden glow

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Flowers best in full sun
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A medium waterlily ideal for middle sized to large ponds.

    2 options available

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  • Large Water Lily | Nymphaea marliacea 'Rosea' | 3L Pot Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Large Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Marliacea Rosea'

    Masses of large pink lilies all summer long

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Thrives in full sun
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A large waterlily ideal for large ponds and lakes.

    2 options available

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  • Water Lily 'Arc-en-Ciel' | Nymphaea | 3L Pot Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Star Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Arc-en-Ciel'

    Fragrant lilies with unique foliage

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Thrives in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A medium waterlily ideal for middle sized to large ponds.

    2 options available

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  • Water Lily 'Charles de Meurville' | Nymphaea Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Pink Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Charles de Meurville'

    Decadent wine coloured waterlily

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Flowers best in full sun
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • Large waterlily, best for medium to large ponds and lakes

    2 options available

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  • Large Pink Water Lily | Nymphaea Rose Arey Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Large Pink Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Rose Arey'

    Stunning, star shaped and pink

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Plant in full sun for the best flowers
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A medium waterlily ideal for middle sized to large ponds.

    2 options available

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  • Pink Water Lily | Nymphaea Madame Wilfron Gonnere Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Pink Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Madame Wilfron Gonnère'

    Double rose pink blooms

    • Zone 3 - Deep Water
    • Perfect for a sunny spot
    • Flowers all summer from June to September
    • A medium waterlily ideal for middle sized to large ponds.

    2 options available

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Enfield

Meet Caroline

A deep dive into sustainable gardening

Nestled amongst wildlife meadows and resident ducks, Caroline’s award winning pond plant nursery in Enfield has been making a splash since 1965, when they invented the (recycled, obvs) aquatic basket. Sixty years and multiple RHS gold medals later, they’re still surprising us with new varieties every year!

Need help picking?

Which water lily?

Which water lily?

There are a huge number of water lilies out there, and these floating flowerers make an excellent addition to any pond garden – there’s a reason Monet painted so many! If you’ve got a large pond, then you’ll have the room for bigger varieties like 'Marliacea Carnea' and 'Gladstoniana', while small ponds (and container/tub ponds) will benefit from more compact, diminutive varieties like 'Pygmaea Helvola' and ‘Perry’s Baby Red’. For the showiest blooms, choose ‘Gloire du Temple-sur-Lot', whose flowers can have up to 100 petals! And if you want your pond to smell nice and fragrant, then we’d recommend 'Odorata Sulphurea'.

Water lily planting schemes

Water lily planting schemes

Water lilies are at their most impactful when given a lush foliage foil against which their blooms can really shine. Water lettuce is the ideal plant for this purpose, its rich green rosettes floating serenely on the pond surface and providing a green canvas for the Nymphaea flowers. Consider planting water hawthorn to extend your pond’s floral display from solely summer to multiple seasons. Finally, the addition of some marginal pond grasses can help visually frame the pond and the water lilies it supports.

Caring for water lilies

Caring for water lilies

For your water lilies to flourish, they need still water (so no streams, we’re afraid) and a fully sunny position (at least six hours of direct sunlight per day). Plant your water lilies in aquatic baskets to help keep them secure and the soil in place. Your water lilies will benefit from an annual feed every spring with slow-release aquatic fertiliser. If your pond is small and accessible, it’s also worth deadheading spent flowers to prevent them rotting in the water. Only do this if it’s safe to do so, however.

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Ornamental Colour Collection Pond Plants
five star rating on Trustpilot

Plants arrived in great condition and very promptly. Well established - much better than the ones I got at my local garden centre.

Monica Spence

| 24 May
Star Jasmine | Trachelospermum jasminoides Climbing Plants
five star rating on Trustpilot

Yet again this company delivered good healthy plants, exactly as shown in photos, well packaged and within delivery time quoted. Recommend!

Jacqueline Burgess

| 2 Jun
five star rating on Trustpilot

I continue to be so impressed with Roots. Their customer care, knowledge of their subject: from planting hedges to pruning roses and more, has been a great support.

Judy Lane

| 23 Oct
E 'Black Hamburgh' Indoor Grape Vine Soft Fruit
five star rating on Trustpilot

The plant arrived looking vigorously healthy, which brings a smile to your face, extremely well protected in its packaging.

Martyn Hill

| 5 Jul
E 'Braeburn Hillwell' Apple Tree Fruit Trees
five star rating on Trustpilot

As a non-gardener, I found my whole experience brilliant. Great information & advice available on the website, great range of products & prices are brilliant.

John-Paul

| 22 May
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Wonderful plants and great customer service... really surprised to find that the plants are better than those you would get at your local garden centre.

Gavin Wilcock

| 8 Nov

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