The leaves and the flowers of white waterlilies float at the surface of large ponds and lakes, while the rest of the plant is submerged, growing from mud at the bottom. White waterlilies flower during the summer from June to August. The blooms open in the sunshine.
White waterlilies go dormant in winter. In late autumn the leaves will turn yellow and die. As long as their habitat does not freeze completely, the lily is protected by the unfrozen water. It will start growing again in March or April once the water temperature rises. Their tubers will provide food for the growth of new leaves.