Foxfire Tropical Water Lily (Craig Presnell Hybrid)

The Foxfire Water Lily is an award-winning tropical water lily from world-renowned hybridizer Craig Presnell, famous for its electric, multi-toned blooms. Each flower is a dazzling blend of blue-violet outer petals, violet-pink mid-petals, and a glowing crown of golden yellow stamens. The blooms are bold, flat, stellate in shape, and can reach up to 12 inches across in peak form. Heavily mottled pads—painted green and purple—make Foxfire as stunning at the water’s surface as the flowers are above it.

This tropical variety is prized by collectors, show growers, and hobbyists alike. In large plantings, Foxfire Water Lily can grow into a true giant, with spreads of 15–22 feet across, pads measuring 20–26 inches, and show-stopping flowers. Yet, for smaller spaces, it adapts beautifully: kept in a 3–5 gallon container, Foxfire stays compact at 5–8 feet wide, with 7–12 inch pads—making it one of the most versatile tropical pond plants available today. Always a customer favorite, Foxfire Tropical Water Lily thrives in the north as an annual, delivering spectacular color in a single season.

🌱 Planting & Care Instructions

• Water Lily Spread: 6–14 feet (or larger in expansive containers/ponds)

• Foxfire Water Lily Container Size: Wide, shallow fabric pond pot (12–14 inches recommended)

• Foxfire Water Lily Depth: 6–24 inches of water over the crown

• Foxfire Water Lily Soil: Plant in heavy loam soil only (no bagged composted mixes, which rot underwater). For areas without good loam, use PondGro Aquatic Loam Soil, adding up to 40% play sand to increase volume.

• Fertilizing Foxfire Water Lily: 5–10 Waterlily World Fertilizer Tablets on the 1st and 15th of each month, from early spring to mid-August (safe for fish and all pond plants except carnivorous types).

• Fragrance: Yes, sweet and pleasing

• Winter Hardiness: Best in USDA Zones 9–12; grow as an annual in cooler zones

💡 PondMegastore Tip: For show-quality size, provide Foxfire with a large container, heavy feeding, and full summer sun. For smaller gardens, restrict it to a modest 3–5 gallon pot for a contained but still breathtaking display.

✅ Do’s & ❌ Don’ts for Foxfire Water Lily

Do’s
✅ Use a wide, shallow fabric pond pot (12–14 in.)
✅ Plant in heavy loam soil, topping with ½ in. sand -- Never pea gravel
✅ Fertilize generously twice per month (5–10 tablets) during growing season; 4-7 tablets on 1st and 15th of each month during growing season. 
✅ Provide full sun (6+ hours daily) for maximum flower power
✅ Allow room for spread if you want Foxfire’s giant, show-winning size

Don’ts
❌ Don’t use bagged potting soil (compost will rot underwater)
❌ Don’t skip feeding—Foxfire needs nutrients for its large flowers 
❌ Don’t overcrowd—this water lily needs space to shine
❌ Don’t expect it to overwinter outdoors north of Zone 9 (replant each spring as an annual)

📦 Seasonal Shipping Information for Tropical Water Lilies

Tropical water lilies are often ready a few weeks later than other pond plants in spring. They typically ship between May and August/September when conditions are warm enough for healthy growth.

• If your order includes a tropical water lily, even if you live in the South, the entire order will be held until the tropical is available.

• If you want to receive other pond plants sooner, please place two separate orders.

• For northern regions, tropical water lilies generally become available right around the time it’s safe to ship pond plants to your area.