Almost Black Hardy Water Lily

The Almost Black Water Lily brings drama and intrigue to any pond or water garden. This hardy perennial water lily produces exotic, dark-red blooms that deepen to burgundy in the center, creating a nearly black effect. The luminous quality of the petals makes each blossom appear to glow, especially against the backdrop of the plant’s deep green pads.

This medium-to-large hardy water lily is ideal for medium and large ponds where it can spread and bloom continuously with the right care. A striking centerpiece, the Almost Black Water Lily delivers both elegance and mystery.

🌱 Planting & Care Instructions

• Almost Black Water Lily Size: Medium-large hardy perennial

• Spread: 4–6 feet across, depending on fertilizer and container size

• Suggested Pot Size: 15-inch wide or larger container (2–7 gallons minimum)

• Almost Black Water Lily Planting Depth: Place crown 6–24 inches beneath the water surface (shallower depths encourage more blooms)

• Soil: Use only heavy loam soil. Never use gravel, stones, aquatic planting media, or bagged compost soils. If loam isn’t available, use PondGro Aquatic Loam Soil, which can be mixed with up to 40% clean sand if needed.

• How to Fertilize Your Almost Black Water Lily: Insert 3–4 Waterlily World Fertilizer Tabs + Humates on the 1st and 15th of each month during the growing season for continuous flowers.

• Fragrance of the Almost Black Water Lily: Light, sweet fragrance

• Winter Hardiness: Fully hardy perennial in USDA Zones 3–11

📦 Shipping Information for Hardy Water Lilies

• Availability: Ships April through September across the USA.

• Regional Timing: Orders to northern climates ship in line with safe planting times.

• Pre-Season Orders: Place your early orders (April–May) to receive them before later-season orders.

• Shipping Method: Plants ship 2–3 days UPS, usually early in the week.

• Tracking: Customers receive an email with tracking details on the day of shipment.

Guarantee & Arrival Care

• Be ready to plant your Almost Black Hardy Water Lily immediately upon arrival.

• If there are concerns, email photos to PondQuestions@gmail.com within 24 hours of receipt.

• Photos should include:

  1. The plant out of the box

  2. The packing slip with initials

• Always plant right away—even if leaves appear stressed. Hardy lilies regrow quickly from their rhizomes.

💡 PondMegastore Tip: For the deepest color and best flowering, plant shallow (6–12 inches deep) in full sun with consistent fertilizer.

✅ Do’s & ❌ Don’ts for Almost Black Hardy Water Lily

Do’s
✅ Use a 15-inch or larger container with heavy loam soil
✅ Plant crown 6–24 inches deep (shallower = more blooms)
✅ Fertilize with 3–4 tablets twice monthly during the growing season
✅ Provide 7+ hours of full, direct sun daily
✅ Divide when rhizomes outgrow the container

Don’ts
❌ Don’t plant in stones, pea gravel, aquatic planting media, or bagged compost soils
❌ Don’t bury the crown—leave it visible above the soil line
❌ Don’t skip fertilization—Almost Black is a heavy feeder
❌ Don’t plant too deep (>24 inches) if you want heavy blooming
❌ Don’t delay planting upon arrival—install immediately