How to Grow Perry's Red Bicolor Water Lily
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Perry's Red Bicolor Water Lily
Nymphaea 'Perry's Red Bicolor'
flowerPerry's Red Bicolor is a stunning tropical day-blooming water lily featuring deep red petals with contrasting yellow stamens and a distinctive bicolor pattern. This aquatic perennial produces large, floating leaves and showy flowers that bloom throughout the growing season in warm water conditions. It's prized by water gardeners for its striking color contrast and vigorous growth habit.
When should you plant Perry's Red Bicolor Water Lily in your zone?
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Example Perry's Red Bicolor Water Lily timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Perry's Red Bicolor 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 Perry's Red Bicolor Water Lily blooms
Around Jun 1≈ 45 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 9b-11; requires warm water year-round or winter protection in cooler zones
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Dormancy/Planting
1-2 weeks before sproutingRhizome is dormant or newly potted; minimal visible growth above water
Store rhizomes in cool (50-60°F), moist conditions if not immediately planting; handle rhizomes carefully to avoid damage to growing tip
Sprouting & Leaf Development
2-4 weeksFirst leaves emerge and unfurl at water surface; small juvenile pads float and expand
Ensure water temperature is warming (ideally 65°F+); begin light fertilization; keep water clean and free of debris
Vegetative Growth
3-6 weeksMature floating leaves with serrated edges appear; plant establishes vigorous root system; lily pads cover more surface area
Apply aquatic fertilizer every 2-3 weeks; thin excess leaves if they cover more than 50% of water surface; monitor for pests
Blooming
8-16 weeks or longer until frost/temperature dropRed bicolor flowers with yellow stamens emerge above water surface; blooms open in morning and close by afternoon (day-blooming); multiple flowers produced throughout season
Continue regular fertilization to support continuous blooming; remove spent flowers; maintain consistent water temperature above 70°F; ensure 6+ hours daily sunlight
Senescence/Dormancy
Seasonal or year-round depending on climateIn tropical climates, plant continues blooming year-round; in frost zones, growth slows, foliage yellows, and plant prepares for dormancy
In zones 9-10, move containers to warmer protected location or indoors before water freezes; stop fertilization; reduce watering if dormant indoors; in zones 11+, continue regular care year-round
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-remove adults and larvae; spray undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap; remove and dispose of heavily infested pads
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Manually remove affected leaves; maintain water circulation; introduce beneficial insects like dragonfly nymphs
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Spray forceful water to dislodge; use neem oil spray; introduce ladybugs or beneficial wasps
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and
Maintain good water quality; avoid excess fertilization that promotes algae; ensure adequate aeration
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Ensure pot has proper drainage; avoid overplanting; use well-draining aquatic soil; remove affected tissues; treat with aquatic fungicide if severe
Uses
Edible Flowers
CulinaryWater lily flowers and occasionally tubers are used in Asian cuisines, particularly in Thai and Vietnamese cooking. Petals can be added to salads or used as garnish for their delicate flavor and striking appearance. [source]
Traditional Medicine
MedicinalIn traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, water lily rhizomes and flowers are used to promote calmness and improve sleep quality. The plant is believed to have cooling and mild sedative properties. [source]
Water Garden & Pond Enhancement
HouseholdPerry's Red Bicolor is primarily grown as an ornamental aquatic plant in water gardens and ponds, where its vibrant flowers provide visual interest and color. The floating leaves also help shade the water and reduce algae growth. [source]
Pollinator & Wildlife Habitat
WildlifeWater lily flowers attract bees, beetles, and other pollinators. The floating leaves and rhizomes provide shelter and feeding grounds for aquatic insects, frogs, and fish, supporting biodiversity in water gardens. [source]
Cut Flowers & Floral Design
CraftThe striking red bicolor blooms are used in floral arrangements and water features for special events and gardens. Their long vase life (3-5 days) and unique appearance make them popular in upscale floral design. [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 crop. Cut blooms by snipping stems with a sharp knife early in the morning when flowers first open. Remove spent flowers daily by cutting them from the plant to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season. Cut flowers will remain open in a bowl of fresh water indoors for 3-5 days.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Perry's Red Bicolor was hybridized by Perry D. Slocum, a renowned water lily breeder, whose hybrid cultivars revolutionized the ornamental water lily industry in the mid-20th century.
- 🌱 Unlike hardy water lilies that close at night or on cloudy days, this tropical day-blooming variety opens its flowers in the morning and closes them by afternoon, following a predictable daily rhythm.
- 🌱 Water lilies are among the oldest flowering plants, with fossils dating back over 100 million years; they hold spiritual significance in many cultures, particularly in Buddhism and Egyptian mythology.
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