Water lilies are famous for their stunning flowers that float on the surface of ponds, lakes, and quiet streams, and they come in all sorts of gorgeous colors like white, pink, yellow, red, and even purple! They have large, round leaves called lily pads that can be as wide as a dinner plate, and they provide the perfect resting spot for dragonflies, frogs, and even tiny turtles. The top of each lily pad is waterproof, so rain and splashing water just slide right off. Water lilies are one of the oldest flowering plants on Earth and have been growing for over 130 million years, which means they were around when dinosaurs roamed the planet!
Water lilies grow from thick roots buried deep in the muddy bottom of a pond or lake. Their long, flexible stems stretch all the way up to the surface so the leaves and flowers can soak up plenty of sunlight. Most water lily flowers open up in the morning and close at night, almost like they are going to sleep! The giant water lily from South America has lily pads so enormous that they can be over six feet wide, big enough for a small child to sit on. These incredible plants are loved by gardeners all over the world and have been painted by famous artists like Claude Monet!