Can I use pesticides?

Avoid chemical pesticides as they will harm your fish and other beneficial pond life. Manual removal is safer and very effective.

Will the leaves recover?

Damaged leaves will not heal, but the plant will grow new ones throughout the season. Trim off heavily damaged leaves to keep the plant looking tidy.

American white waterlily: pests, causes and fixes

Check these first

Inspect the undersides of the leaves for beetles.
Look for silk webbing or folded leaf edges.
Check if the damage is concentrated on new growth.

Likely causes

Water lily beetle
Most likely
How to tell: You will see small, dark beetles or their larvae feeding on the leaf surface, leaving behind irregular holes or skeletonized patches.
What to do: Gently submerge the leaves for a few seconds to drown the beetles. You can also manually pick them off or use a strong spray of water to knock them into the pond for fish to eat.
Caterpillars
Possible
How to tell: Look for leaf rollers or caterpillars hiding inside folded leaf edges or silk webs.
What to do: Unfold the leaves and remove any caterpillars by hand. Ensure your pond has natural predators like dragonflies or fish to help keep populations in check.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your american white waterlily

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

Minor holes are normal, but if the entire leaf surface is being skeletonized, you need to act quickly to save the plant's ability to photosynthesize.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your pond healthy to attract natural predators like frogs and fish that eat these beetles.

American white waterlily: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your american white waterlily and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Can I use pesticides?: Avoid chemical pesticides as they will harm your fish and other beneficial pond life. Manual removal is safer and very effective.
Will the leaves recover?: Damaged leaves will not heal, but the plant will grow new ones throughout the season. Trim off heavily damaged leaves to keep the plant looking tidy.

Guides to these causes

Caterpillars

Why are there holes in my American white waterlily leaves?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your american white waterlily?