How to Grow and Care for Water lilies

American white water-lily (Nymphaea odorata) is an aquatic flowering plant native to Central and North America. It is a common food for many species of birds and turtles. The shade american white water-lily casts over its pond habitats helps stifle algae growth, a side effect that is beneficial to most of the aquatic wildlife around it.

A perennial aquatic flowering plant that thrives in freshwater habitats, the white water rose produces white flowers with numerous tiny stamens. For hundreds of years, monks and nuns used the plant's root, crushed and combined with wine, as an aphrodisiac.

The egyptian lotus (Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea) is an aquatic plant native to Africa. Showy blue flowers bloom in summer amid wide, floating leaves. The roots anchor into the mud of the pond floor below. They can also be planted in backyard ponds or wide pots. Many species of fish appreciate the shade these floating plants provide.

The yellow waterlily (Nymphaea mexicana) is native to the southern United States and Mexico, but in other regions is considered a noxious weed as it invades aquatic ecosystems. Its leaves, seeds, and roots are a valuable food source for wildlife, including deer, the canvasback duck, muskrats, and other rodents. The submerged portions of the plant create a habitat for many invertebrates.

Pygmy water lily is a hardy aquatic perennial that thrives in areas with ample sun but with cooler temperatures. This small, plant is typically used for still-water garden ponds and water features, providing a wonderful aesthetic while also offering shelter for aquatic creatures and controlling algae spread.