Japanese Water Lilly

Japanese Water Lilly

Japanese Water Lily is a striking aquatic bulb plant producing large, smooth floating and submerged leaves that can reach 7 inches by 5 inches or larger — creating an impressive visual presence in the aquarium that few other plants can match for sheer leaf scale and natural grace. The classic water lily leaf form, with its distinctive split and smooth surface, adds an element of pond and wetland beauty to the freshwater aquarium that is both elegant and evocative.

Care tip: Japanese Water Lilly grows best in low lighting with CO₂ not required. Maintain temperatures of 68–82°F and pH 6.0–7.5. Regular liquid fertilization supports healthy growth and best coloration.

The plant produces both submerged arrow-shaped leaves in its early stages and eventually extends long stems to produce floating lily pads at the water surface. Management of the floating leaves is an important part of keeping this plant — surface leaves should be trimmed periodically to prevent them from blocking light to plants below. The combination of submerged and surface leaves creates a multi-layer visual effect unique in the aquarium plant world.

Japanese Water Lily grows well under low lighting without CO₂ supplementation — it is a naturally adaptable species comfortable in temperatures between 68 and 82°F and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. A nutrient-rich substrate or regular root tabs are beneficial for the bulb, which stores energy to support the plant through periods of slower growth. The bulb should be planted with the top half exposed above the substrate surface.

In the aquascape, Japanese Water Lily creates a dramatic background or midground focal point whose large floating leaves and submerged foliage create genuine pond-like atmosphere. It works beautifully in open-top aquariums and large planted tanks where the floating leaves can extend to the surface without overwhelming the layout. Its scale makes it best suited to larger aquariums where its natural grandeur can be fully appreciated.

Japanese Water Lily is a plant of genuine natural spectacle — large, graceful, and uniquely capable of bringing the quiet beauty of water gardens and natural ponds into the home aquarium.

Care & Specifications