Few of the plants we commonly keep in our aquariums will ever flower in their submersed state. However, through the use of an open-topped aquarium with good lighting, many aquatic plants can be encouraged to produce emersed (above water) growth, and with it some often amazing flowers. Most plants, if allowed to grow above the surface of the aquarium will begin to produce emersed foliage in short order. Emersed foliage often varies considerably from the submersed foliage of the same plant and these changes can be almost as interesting as the flowers. After an aquatic plant has been allowed to produce emersed foliage for a period of time, it will frequently begin flowering. This may be the most rewarding part of growing emersed aquatics. In fact, many aquatic plants can only be positively identified by examining their inflorescences. Even the most mundane looking aquatic plants may produce stunningly beautiful flowers, as evidenced by the bright blue flowers of Bacopa sp. ‘Colorata’, shown above, and the fragrant and spectacular night-blooming flower of the red tiger lotus (Nymphaea zenkeri), below.