Winter Hardy Water Lily – Red Spider

Being winter-hardy means this lily is capable of surviving freezing temperatures during the dormant season. As long as the roots are kept below the ice line in your pond, the plant will naturally go dormant and return with new growth when spring arrives.

The Red Spider requires full sun, which translates to at least six to eight hours of direct, unobstructed sunlight daily. If the plant is placed in a shaded area, it will likely produce fewer flowers and may struggle to maintain its vibrant red color.

While it is a floating plant, it is best practice to plant the Red Spider in an aquatic pot filled with heavy garden soil or specialized aquatic planting media. This allows you to control the depth of the plant and prevents the roots from spreading uncontrollably throughout your pond.

For optimal growth, place the container so that the crown of the plant sits 6 to 18 inches below the water's surface. You can use bricks or aquatic plant stands to adjust the height if your pond is deeper than this range.

It is classified as a moderate care plant. Beyond ensuring it receives enough sunlight and is planted at the correct depth, you will simply need to remove yellowing leaves and occasionally fertilize it with aquatic plant tabs during the growing season to encourage consistent blooming.