How to Grow Escarboucle Water Lily
Wikimedia Commons
Escarboucle Water Lily
Nymphaea 'Escarboucle'
flowerEscarboucle is a hardy, day-blooming water lily cultivar prized for its striking deep red flowers with golden-yellow stamens. This aquatic perennial thrives in ponds and water gardens, producing floating leaves and vibrant blooms throughout the growing season. It is one of the most popular red water lily varieties for ornamental water features.
When should you plant Escarboucle Water Lily in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Escarboucle Water Lily timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Escarboucle Water Lily
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
First Escarboucle Water Lily blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Escarboucle Water Lily dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-9, winter-hardy in most temperate climates
Sign up free to see if Escarboucle Water Lily grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Escarboucle Water Lily timeline →Growth Stages
Rhizome Dormancy
November to March (4-5 months)Plant exists as a dormant or semi-dormant rhizome overwinter, stored in cold conditions or buried in pond bottom mud.
In cold climates (zones 3-5), remove rhizomes in late fall, store in cool, moist environment, and replant in spring. In warmer zones, may remain in pond year-round.
Early Growth
April to May (3-4 weeks)Rhizome breaks dormancy; small shoots emerge and first leaves unfurl beneath water surface.
Plant in containers with 2-3 inches of soil covering the rhizome crown. Place container in shallow water (6-12 inches), gradually increasing depth as plant grows. Water temperature should reach 60-65°F (15-18°C).
Vegetative Growth
May to June (4-6 weeks)Floating leaves expand across water surface; plant develops multiple leaves and establishes root system. No flowers yet.
Ensure 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily. Apply aquatic fertilizer tablets to substrate every 4-6 weeks. Remove any dead or yellowing leaves. Thin excess foliage if more than 50% of water surface is covered.
Flowering
June to September (12-16 weeks)Buds form on flower stalks and open into 4-6 inch diameter deep red blooms with yellow stamens, typically opening in morning and closing by afternoon.
Continue weekly fertilizer applications. Deadhead spent flowers by cutting below the flower bud and removing from water. Blooms are day-flowers, opening 8am-3pm. Peak bloom occurs in mid-summer.
Seed Development & Dormancy Prep
September to November (8-10 weeks)Flowering slows as days shorten and water temperature drops below 60°F (15°C). Plant redirects energy to rhizome growth; foliage may yellow.
Reduce fertilizer application in late summer. Allow foliage to remain until first hard frost. In cold climates, remove plants before water freezes or they die back naturally. In warm zones, foliage may persist year-round.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Spray with strong water jet to dislodge; use insecticidal soap rated for aquatic plants; introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs; submerge affected foliage for 24 hours
-
Remove affected leaves by cutting and removing from pond; use yellow sticky traps; apply neem oil following aquatic plant label guidelines; manual removal of adults
-
Remove affected leaves promptly; inspect for rolled or folded leaf edges; introduce fish (koi, goldfish) that feed on larvae; Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) products safe for aquatic use
-
Introduce snail-eating fish (Japanese loaches) or aquatic shrimp; manually remove snails; avoid overfeeding fish to reduce algae and snail food sources
-
Ensure proper water circulation and aeration; avoid planting crown too deeply; remove affected tissue with clean tools; in severe cases, remove plant and discard infected rhizome portions
Uses
Water Garden Edibility
CulinaryWhile Escarboucle itself is primarily ornamental, water lilies have a long history in Asian cuisines where tubers and seeds are consumed. This variety's decorative nature makes it unsuitable for eating, but demonstrates the culinary potential of aquatic plants. [source]
Ornamental Water Features
HouseholdThe deep red blooms with golden stamens are exceptional for garden ponds, water gardens, artificial pools, and large containers. Escarboucle is one of the most reliable red water lily varieties for reliable summer-long flowering. [source]
Pollinator & Aquatic Ecosystem Support
WildlifeWater lily flowers provide pollen and nectar for bees, beetles, and other pollinators. The floating leaves create habitat and shade for aquatic organisms, helping maintain water temperature and reducing algae growth. [source]
Cut Flowers & Floral Design
CraftEscarboucle's vibrant red blooms and long stems make striking cut flowers for water-based floral arrangements and sculptural displays. The flowers open in morning and close in afternoon, providing dynamic decorative appeal. [source]
Traditional Herbal Use
MedicinalIn traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, water lily preparations have been used to support calm and relaxation. While Escarboucle is ornamental, the broader water lily genus contains species with documented phytochemical compounds. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Water lilies are ornamental flowers, not harvested for consumption. Cut flowers for display by cutting stems just below water surface with a sharp knife in early morning when blooms first open. Escarboucle flowers last 3-4 days in a vase. Deadhead spent flowers by removing the entire flower stalk below the bud to encourage continued blooming. Allow some flowers to remain on plant for seed development if desired.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Escarboucle was developed as a water lily cultivar in France and has been a gold-standard red variety since the early 20th century; its name means 'escarbuncle' or jewel in French.
- 🌱 Unlike tropical water lilies, Escarboucle is fully hardy and can survive winter ice-overs in zones 4-9, making it suitable for permanent outdoor pond installation in most of North America.
- 🌱 The flowers are strictly diurnal (day-bloomers), opening between 8am-10am and closing by 3-4pm, and they remain closed on overcast days, contrasting with tropical water lily varieties that may open at dusk.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Escarboucle Water Lily planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Escarboucle Water Lily seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Escarboucle Water Lily timeline →