Description of Nymphaea 'Maroon Pink' Tropical

Nymphaea 'Maroon Pink' is sold as a tropical water lily, grown for warm-season flowers and quick summer growth in still water. It makes floating pads from a central crown and can flower well when the water stays warm. You will usually see it listed simply as Maroon Pink, sometimes with the word tropical added. It does not have a widely used common name beyond tropical water lily.

Appearance

This plant produces broad floating pads that build a surface raft once it is established. In good heat the foliage comes quickly, which is typical of tropical lilies. Flowers are described by sellers as maroon pink, meaning a deep pink shade with a darker tone towards maroon in some light. Exact flower size and petal count vary between suppliers, so it is best to expect a medium to large bloom rather than relying on a fixed measurement.

Care Guide

Treat it differently from a hardy lily. Tropical water lilies need warmth and strong light, so place it in full sun and avoid splashing water. Plant it in a wide basket with loam based compost and a gravel cap. Start shallower so new leaves can reach the surface easily, then lower as the plant gains strength. In a UK garden pond, you will normally grow it as a summer plant unless you can overwinter it frost-free. Feed regularly with aquatic fertiliser tablets through the growing season, as tropical lilies respond quickly to feeding. Remove ageing leaves so the plant stays open and buds can rise cleanly.

Suitability for Garden Ponds

Maroon Pink suits ponds and large tubs where you want a tropical look during the warmest months. It can work well in a patio tub if you can give it sun and still water, and you will often get a good run of flowers in midsummer. Because it is not reliably hardy in the UK, it is best for gardeners who are happy to treat it as seasonal or have a way to overwinter it. Use the leaf cover as summer shade, but keep open water nearby so you can enjoy the flowers when they open. Keep a small patch of open water near Maroon Pink so you can enjoy the flowers from the edge. Clear floating debris so buds on Maroon Pink can rise and open cleanly at the surface. In ponds with fish, a gravel cap helps stop compost being disturbed around Maroon Pink.

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