How to Grow Comanche Water Lily
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Comanche Water Lily
Nymphaea 'Comanche'
flowerNymphaea 'Comanche' is a tropical day-blooming water lily known for its stunning copper-orange to apricot flowers that deepen to red as they age. The blooms are highly fragrant and appear above attractive mottled foliage, making it a showstopping choice for water gardens and ponds. This cultivar is prolific, producing multiple flowers throughout the growing season.
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Example Comanche Water Lily timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Comanche Water Lily
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Comanche Water Lily blooms
Around May 17≈ 30 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 10b-11; requires warm water (75-85°F) and cannot tolerate frost
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Dormancy/Planting
1-2 weeksRhizome is at rest; planted in aquatic containers filled with heavy loam and amendments
Keep water warm (75°F+); ensure adequate light; fertilize if needed; monitor for rot
Sprouting & Leaf Development
2-3 weeksNew shoots emerge from the rhizome; arrow-shaped juvenile leaves appear, followed by floating leaves with mottled brown and green patterns
Maintain consistent warm water; apply aquatic fertilizer tablets monthly; ensure 6-8 hours daily sunlight; remove algae to prevent leaf shading
Vegetative Growth
2-3 weeksEstablished floating leaves form dense mats; leaf pads expand and mature; plant vigor increases
Remove excess leaves if they cover more than one-third of pond surface; maintain water level; continue fertilizing monthly; thin leaves to improve air circulation
Flowering
4-6 months (extended blooming season in warm climates)Flower buds emerge on thick stems above water surface; blooms open in morning (day-blooming variety) and close in late afternoon, lasting 3-4 days; flowers transition from copper-orange to deep red; fragrant petals are held upright
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming; maintain water level at ideal depth; ensure 6-8 hours direct sun daily; apply flowering fertilizer every 2 weeks; keep water warm and clean
Decline & Dormancy
Variable; dormancy may last several months in cold climatesIn autumn or if water cools below 65°F, flowering slows dramatically; foliage yellows and deteriorates; plant enters dormancy as water temperature drops
In zones 10b-11, plant can remain in outdoor water year-round if temperature stays above 60°F; in cooler climates, move indoors to greenhouse or warm water tank before first frost; store rhizomes in cool, moist sand if necessary
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with strong water jet to dislodge; use insecticidal soap safe for water gardens; introduce natural predators like ladybugs
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Remove affected leaves; use neem oil or spinosad if severe; introduce parasitic wasps or beetles to control population
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Remove affected leaves and destroy; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) if population is large
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Remove and discard affected leaves; maintain good water circulation; avoid overfeeding with nitrogen
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Manually remove; introduce predatory fish (koi, goldfish) or diving beetles to control populations
Uses
Edible Flowers & Traditional Use
CulinaryNymphaea petals are edible and valued in some Asian cuisines for garnish and traditional medicine preparations. The petals have a delicate, slightly sweet flavor and are used fresh or dried in herbal teas. [source]
Cut Flower & Floral Design
CraftThe stunning copper-orange to red blooms are prized for fresh floral arrangements, floating flower displays, and water garden photography. Their fragrance and color make them highly desirable for wedding bouquets and specialty events. [source]
Ornamental Water Garden Display
HouseholdCultivated primarily as a focal point in water gardens, ponds, and container water features, 'Comanche' provides continuous summer-long color and elegant visual appeal to landscapes and patios. [source]
Traditional Herbal Medicine
MedicinalNymphaea species have been used in Ayurvedic and traditional Asian medicine for their cooling and calming properties, though 'Comanche' is primarily grown for ornamental purposes in modern cultivation. [source]
Aquatic Habitat & Biodiversity
WildlifeWater lilies provide essential habitat and food sources for aquatic insects, fish, amphibians, and wildlife. The floating leaves offer shelter for dragonfly nymphs and other aquatic larvae, while flowers attract bees and water-loving pollinators. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Do not harvest; enjoy blooms in situ. Flowers open in early morning and close by late afternoon, lasting 3-4 days. Deadhead spent flowers just below the water surface by pinching or cutting the stem to encourage continuous blooming. Use flowers for fresh floral arrangements or floating displays; cut early morning for maximum vase life (1-2 days in water).
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Nymphaea 'Comanche' flowers open in the morning (day-blooming) and close by late afternoon, with each bloom lasting 3-4 days—this contrasts with night-blooming tropical water lilies that open at dusk.
- 🌱 The color change from copper-orange to deep red as petals age is caused by anthocyanin pigments that intensify with exposure to sunlight over the flower's lifespan.
- 🌱 Water lilies have been cultivated for over 5,000 years, with ancient Egyptians revering them as symbols of the sun god Ra; the genus Nymphaea itself is named after the nymphs of Greek mythology.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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