Butterfly Ocean Annual Water Lily

Butterfly Ocean Annual Water Lily is a new, incredible, extra-large Australian water lily hybrid from award-winning hybridizer Mr. Jumbo of Thailand. This spectacular annual water lily produces masses of elegant light to medium blue flowers all summer long. The flowers stand high above the water, often rising 10 to 18 inches above the pond surface, creating a bold tropical display that is easy to see and enjoy.

Butterfly Ocean has green serrated lily pads and tall, graceful water lily flowers that float beautifully above the pads below. As the plant grows larger, the flowers become even more impressive. When grown in full sun, warm water, a large container, and fed heavily, this monster water lily can reach over 15 feet across at peak size, with huge 14 to 24 inch lily pads.

This is a showpiece annual water lily for large ponds, display ponds, collectors, and gardeners who want a dramatic blue water lily that brings height, size, and serious “wow” power to the water garden.

Why Grow Butterfly Ocean Water Lily?

Butterfly Ocean Water Lily is perfect for gardeners who love bold tropical water lilies with large flowers and fast summer growth. The elegant blue blooms rise well above the water, giving the pond a lush, tropical look. The green serrated leaves add texture, and the tall flower stems make the blooms stand out beautifully from a distance.

This water lily can be grown very large with heavy feeding, or kept smaller with less fertilizer. Like most annual water lilies, Butterfly Ocean will still bloom as a smaller specimen when lightly fed, making it more flexible for different pond sizes.

Growing Conditions

Plant Butterfly Ocean Annual Water Lily in warm water, after spring cold has passed. Annual water lilies grow best when pond water is about 70°F or warmer. Do not plant in cold water.

Give this plant full sun, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. More sun usually means more flowers, stronger stems, and larger lily pads.

Use a 4-gallon or larger aquatic container. For maximum size, choose an even larger wide pot. Butterfly Ocean is a very large water lily when happy, so give it room to grow.

Plant in heavy loam topsoil or aquatic planting soil. Do not use potting soil, compost, peat moss, or lightweight bagged mixes.

Planting Instructions

1. Use a 4-gallon or larger aquatic container.
2. Fill the container with heavy loam soil.
3. Add aquatic fertilizer tablets deep in the soil.
4. Plant the water lily upright with the crown at the soil surface.
5. Do not bury the crown.
6. Place the pot in warm pond water.
7. Start with the soil surface about 12 to 20 inches below the water surface.
8. Keep the plant in full sun with open water around it.

Fertilizing

Butterfly Ocean Annual Water Lily is a heavy feeder. For the largest plant and best bloom production, fertilize with 5 to 8 aquatic water lily fertilizer tablets twice each month during the growing season.

Push the tablets 3 to 4 inches deep into the soil around the plant, but not directly into the crown.

Heavy feeding helps produce larger pads, taller flowers, stronger growth, and more blooms. With lighter feeding, Butterfly Ocean can stay smaller and still bloom nicely.

Plant Details

• Plant Name: Butterfly Ocean Annual Water Lily
• Type: Annual / Australian-type water lily
• Hybridizer: Mr. Jumbo of Thailand
• Flower Color: Light to medium blue
• Flower Height: Often 10 to 18 inches above water
• Leaf Color: Green
• Leaf Shape: Serrated lily pads
• Mature Spread: Can exceed 15 feet at peak
• Pad Size: 14 to 24 inches when grown large
• Container Size: 4 gallons or larger
• Sunlight: Full sun
• Soil: Heavy loam soil
• Fertilizer: 5 to 8 tablets twice monthly
• Best Use: Large ponds, display ponds, and collector water gardens