Plant waterlilies in the pond – care instructions and tips

The water lily is the star of the water garden. Learn how you can plant water lilies in the pond yourself. Water lilies of many sizes can be grown in containers on a terrace or set into garden ponds. They grow from underwater rhizomes, sending rounded leaves and star-shaped flowers to float on the water surface.

Planting water lilies in a garden pond

Water lilies are reliable and easy to grow – a good choice for beginners. They open in the morning and close after sunset. Each flower lasts three or four days before sinking below the surface. Hardy varieties flower from spring into autumn in many colors, though not blue or purple. Tropical varieties need warmer water and more care, but reward the effort with vivid colors; night-blooming forms can look almost electric. Tropical water lilies need water temperatures above 21 degrees C, and their tubers should be lifted before winter in cold climates.

Planting water lilies in the pond – step by step

1. Choose a wide, shallow container. A useful size is about 30 x 45 cm and 25 cm deep. The rhizome, similar to that of an iris, grows horizontally. If the container has drainage holes, line them with burlap or jute to keep soil from washing into the pond. Escaping soil can cloud the water.

2. Use heavy garden soil, not a light potting mix that will float out of the container. Avoid mixes with perlite, vermiculite or peat for the same reason. Enrich the soil with fertilizer made specifically for aquatic plants.

3. Trim away old leaves and thick, fleshy older roots. Leave the young leaves, emerging buds and new fine roots in place.

4. Place the rhizome against the side of the pot with the growing tip angled upward about 45 degrees and pointing toward the center.

5. Cover the soil with a layer of stones or gravel to hold it in the pot.

6. Lower the planted pot into the pond at an angle so air can escape. The leaves should float on the surface. If the pond is deeper than 45 cm, set the pot on a stable support until the plant is established.

Preparing water lilies for winter

Prepare water lilies for winter by removing dead or dying leaves. If the pond freezes in your climate, lift the water lily, container and all. Keep the entire container cool and moist in a plastic bag. If you cannot store the whole pot, remove and clean the rhizome, then store it in peat moss at 5 to 10 degrees C.

If the pond does not freeze solid, you do not need to remove the pot. Move it to the deepest part of the pond, where the water will not freeze completely, then return it to the proper level in spring.

Tips for clear pond water

Keep your pond clean and balanced. Water lilies shade the surface and help limit algae, which can turn pond water green. Do not overfeed fish or keep too many for the pond size. Remove decaying vegetation, aim to shade about 60 percent of the surface with water lilies and other plants, and keep the water oxygen-rich with a fountain or waterfall. Avoid chemical algae treatments that can harm plants, fish and beneficial pond bacteria.