Texas Dawn Hardy Waterlily – A Bright, Award-Winning Favorite

The Texas Dawn Hardy Waterlily is a customer favorite for good reason! With its striking bright-yellow flowers that measure 6–10 inches across, this hardy lily adds sunshine to every pond. The blooms stand proudly above the water and are complemented by beautifully mottled green pads.

Known as a heavy bloomer, Texas Dawn puts on a spectacular floral display from summer until frost. Its 3–6 foot spread makes it an excellent choice for medium to large ponds or natural water features where you want bold, vibrant color that lasts through the season.

Texas Dawn Hardy Waterlily Planting and Care

Planting Depth

• Begin with 12–24 inches of water above the crown.

• Larger ponds may allow planting up to 30 inches deep, but shallow planting encourages the most frequent blooms.

Container Size

• Minimum 15-inch wide container; 16–20 inches is ideal for larger growth and continual flowering.

• Fabric grow pots are highly recommended for proper root spread and easier handling.

Soil

• Use heavy loam topsoil from your yard or our PondGro Aquatic Planting Soil.

• Avoid bagged soil mixes with compost, peat, or perlite — they float and decompose, harming your plant.

Sunlight Requirements

• Full sun is essential. Texas Dawn requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for continuous flowering.

Texas Dawn Hardy Waterlily Fertilizing Schedule

• Fertilize on the 1st and 15th of each month during the growing season (May–September).

• Insert 4–6 Waterlily World Fertilizer Tabs into the soil, approximately 3–4 inches deep, near the rhizome.

• Consistent feeding ensures vigorous growth and abundant flowering all season long.

Do’s and Don’ts for Texas Dawn Hardy Waterlily

✅ Do plant in full sun for maximum bloom production.
✅ Do fertilize consistently during the growing season if kept in pots.
✅ Do divide rhizomes every 2–3 years to prevent overcrowding and rejuvenate growth.

❌ Don’t use rocks, pea gravel, or aquatic planting media — these suffocate or starve the plant.
❌ Don’t let floating plants or other lilies shade Texas Dawn. This variety needs open water space for pads to bask in sunlight.
❌ Don’t allow the plant to dry out during unpacking. Waterlilies must be kept wet and planted immediately upon arrival.

Texas Dawn Hardy Waterlily – Spec Box

• Flower Color: Bright Yellow

• Bloom Size: 5.75–8.5 inches

• Plant Spread: 3–6 feet

• Sunlight Needs: Full sun (6+ hours direct light daily)

• Depth from Soil to Water’s Surface: 12–24 inches (up to 30 inches in larger ponds)

• Container Size: Minimum 15–20 inches wide (fabric aquatic grow pot recommended)

• Soil Type: Heavy loam or PondGro Aquatic Soil (no bagged mixes with compost)

• Fertilizer Schedule: 4–6 tablets on the 1st and 15th each month, May–September

• Hardiness Zones: USDA zones 4–11

• Shipped As: Live pond plant (must be repotted in a proper aquatic container or planted directly into an earth-bottom pond immediately on arrival)