Tropical water lilies come in a much wider variety of flower colors and sizes than the hardy water lilies. Some varieties can be grown in small containers. Tropical water lilies also feature more blooms than the hardy ones and often have variegated lily pads.

The tropical types are treated like annuals and brought indoors during winter in colder climates. They can be grown either from seed or from tubers although a larger selection of tubers can be found online. I’ve structured this post in a way that I hope helps you decide which size is the right fit for you.

Standard Sized Tropical Water Lilies

These are larger tropical varieties typically grown in medium to large ponds where their flowers and foliage can fully develop. They can also be grown in a stock tank pond if restricted by placing the tuber in a smaller container with pond soil at the bottom of the stock tank and trimming some of the leaves off if necessary.

Nymphaea ‘Director George T. Moore’

One of the best-known blue tropical water lilies, producing large fragrant blooms with rich blue petals surrounding a golden center. The flowers are highly photogenic and often featured in tropical pond designs.

Flower Color

True blue

Best Features

• Large blooms
• Strong fragrance
• Iconic tropical appearance

Nymphaea ‘Miami Rose’

A vivid pink tropical water lily that produces elegant cup-shaped flowers held above the water surface. The plant grows vigorously in warm climates and creates a dramatic focal point in ornamental ponds.

Flower Color

Bright pink

Best Features

• Tall flower stems
• Excellent bloom production
• Tropical resort-style look

Nymphaea ‘Texas Shell Pink’

A soft shell-pink tropical variety prized for its refined coloration and elegant flower form. The blooms open wide during the day and pair beautifully with naturalistic pond plantings.

Flower Color

Soft shell pink

Best Features

• Elegant pastel blooms
• Graceful flower shape
• Reliable warm-season bloomer

Nymphaea ‘Josephine’

This tropical cultivar produces creamy peach-to-apricot flowers with subtle color variations depending on temperature and sunlight. The warm-toned blooms give ponds a softer tropical palette compared to more vivid varieties.

Flower Color

Peach-apricot

Best Features

• Unusual warm coloration
• Large tropical blooms
• Attractive contrast with dark water

Nymphaea ‘Woods White Knight’

A dramatic white tropical water lily with large star-shaped flowers that stand prominently above the water. The blooms are especially striking at dusk and against darker pond settings.

Flower Color

Pure white

Best Features

• Crisp white flowers
• Strong nighttime visibility
• Large tropical bloom form

Miniature/Dwarf Tropical Water Lilies For Containers

These smaller tropical varieties are especially useful for container water gardens, patio ponds, whiskey barrel ponds, and compact courtyard features. They are sometimes referred to as ‘pygmy’ water lilies.

Nymphaea ‘Panama Pacific’

A classic dwarf tropical water lily known for its compact growth habit and vibrant medium-blue flowers. The blooms float slightly above the water and contrast beautifully against mottled lily pads. It performs well in small patio ponds and half-barrel water gardens where full-sized tropical lilies would overwhelm the space.

Flower Color

Blue to violet-blue

Best Features

• Compact size
• Prolific bloomer
• Excellent for container ponds

Nymphaea ‘Dauben’

One of the most popular miniature tropical water lilies ever introduced. It produces star-shaped sky-blue flowers that are surprisingly abundant for such a small plant. The pads remain petite and are ideal for tabletop ponds or miniature aquatic displays.

Flower Color

Light blue

Best Features

• Tiny pads and flowers
• Extremely floriferous
• Great for very small water gardens

Nymphaea ‘Tina’

Although sometimes categorized as a small-to-medium tropical lily, ‘Tina’ stays compact enough for many small ponds and container gardens. It produces striking violet-blue blooms with bright yellow centers and often flowers heavily through warm weather.

Flower Color

Deep violet-blue

Best Features

• Intense flower color
• Long blooming season
• Suitable for compact ponds

Nymphaea ‘Bagdad’

A smaller tropical variety with rich royal-purple flowers and attractively mottled foliage. The blooms rise slightly above the water and have a dramatic tropical appearance despite the plant’s manageable size.

Flower Color

Purple

Best Features

• Exotic coloration
• Compact tropical habit
• Decorative foliage

Night-Blooming Tropical Water Lilies

Unlike hardy water lilies, many tropical lilies can bloom at night, opening in the evening and remaining open until morning. 

Nymphaea ‘Red Flare’

One of the most famous night-blooming tropical water lilies. It produces large deep-magenta to red flowers that open dramatically at dusk. The blooms are fragrant and highly visible in moonlit ponds.

Flower Color

Deep red-magenta

Best Features

• Opens at night
• Large fragrant blooms
• Spectacular evening display

Nymphaea ‘Trudy Slocum’

A vigorous night bloomer with creamy white flowers and broad green pads. The blooms emit a pleasant fragrance in the evening and create a luminous effect in nighttime water gardens.

Flower Color

White

Best Features

• Fragrant nighttime blooms
• Excellent for larger ponds
• Elegant moon-garden appearance

Nymphaea ‘Emily Grant Hutchings’

This classic tropical night bloomer produces rich pink flowers with a strong tropical appearance. The flowers open at sunset and remain attractive into the morning hours.

Flower Color

Pink

Best Features

• Reliable night blooming
• Large showy flowers
• Historic tropical cultivar

Nymphaea ‘Wood’s Blue Goddess’

A striking blue night-blooming tropical lily with richly colored petals and dramatic tropical foliage. It is prized among collectors because relatively few night bloomers display true blue coloration.

Flower Color

Blue-violet

Best Features

• Rare blue night blooms
• Exotic tropical appearance
• Strong collector appeal

Ideal Water Temperature

Tropical water lilies perform best when water temperatures stay between 70 degrees to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Growth slows dramatically in cool water, and many tropical varieties stop blooming if temperatures consistently fall below about 65°F.