Doris Holt Red Tropical Water Lily

The Doris Holt Water Lily is a dazzling, ruby-red tropical variety that deepens in color as the plant matures. Its rich, intensely red blossoms are paired with striking mottled pads, creating a dramatic combination that stands out beautifully in medium to large ponds or even small lakes. A viviparous annual hybrid, Doris Holt not only blooms freely but can also produce new plantlets from its leaves, making it a strong and reliable performer among tropical pond plants.

Known for its large size and bold appearance, the Doris Holt Water Lily thrives in full sun and rewards the attentive water gardener with a continuous display of summer flowers. Perfect for those who want a show-stopping red tropical water lily, this cultivar brings vibrant color and tropical elegance to any water garden.

🌱 Planting & Care Instructions

• Doris Holt Water Lily Size: Large tropical variety

• Doris Holt Water Lily Spread: Wide, suitable for medium to large ponds or small lakes

• Doris Holt Water Lily Depth: Plant 6-18" inches beneath the surface

• Doris Holt Water Lily Container Size: Large, wide fabric pond pots recommended

• Doris Holt Water Lily Soil: Heavy loam (avoid bagged composted soil)

• Fertilizing Doris Holt Water Lily: Use slow-release fertilizer or 3–5 Waterlily World Tablets every 3 weeks (safe for fish and pond life)

• Fragrance: Lightly scented

• Winter Hardiness: USDA Zones 9–12 (annual in colder regions)

💡 PondMegastore Tip: Doris Holt is viviparous—look for small plantlets forming on leaves later in the season, which can be propagated into new water lilies.

✅ Do’s & ❌ Don’ts for Doris Holt Water Lily

Do’s
✅ Plant in full sun (6+ hours daily) for best blooming
✅ Use a large, shallow fabric pond pot filled with loam soil
✅ Fertilize regularly (every 3 weeks) with slow-release aquatic tablets
✅ Keep planting depth between 12–24 inches over the crown
✅ Allow plenty of room for spread in medium to large ponds

Don’ts
❌ Don’t use bagged potting soil (compost promotes rot in water)
❌ Don’t cover the growing point of the rhizome—keep it exposed to sunlight
❌ Don’t add stone or gravel on top of soil—this often causes plant mortality
❌ Don’t skip fertilizing—Doris Holt is a heavy feeder and needs nutrients to produce its signature red blooms

📦 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.