How to Grow Water Lilies

With striking flowers and leaves that float serenely, water lilies are enchanting plants. They’re easy to grow and care for, so turning your pond into a picturesque oasis won’t take much work. Plant water lilies in containers to control their growth, submerge the container in a pond or aquatic planter, and make sure they get plenty of sun. Trim old flowers and leaves to prevent rot, and divide your rapidly growing lilies every 2 to 3 years. With a little time and care, you'll have a gorgeous collection of water lilies year after year.

1

Plant water lilies in containers instead of directly in the ground. 

Use a wide, shallow pot or a mesh basket designed for aquatic planting. The container should have a diameter of 14 to 16 inches (36 to 41 cm).

• It’s easier to maintain potted lilies. Additionally, a lily planted directly into the ground could eventually overwhelm your pond. When planted in the ground, a water lily’s root system can cover a diameter of 15 feet (4.6 m) within 5 years.
• You can find aquatic plant necessities, including a mesh basket and aquatic soil, online, at your local garden center, or at a home improvement store.

2

Use an aquatic planter if you don’t have a pond. 

If you have one, you can plant lilies in your pond or backyard water feature. If not, purchase a large aquatic planter, fill it with water, and submerge the pot that holds the lily.

• Go for an aquatic planter that’s around 6 by 8 feet (1.8 by 2.4 m). Make sure it’s designed for aquatic plants and doesn’t have any drainage holes.

3

Ensure your pond or container gets at least 6 to 8 hours of full sun. 

While lilies need a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight, more light encourages them to produce more flowers. Ideally, your lilies should get at least 8 hours of sun.

4

Plant your lilies in the spring. 

Late April to early May is the best time to plant water lilies in the Northern Hemisphere. In cooler climates, plant when there’s no risk of frost.

• There are 2 varieties of water lily: hardy and tropical. As their name implies, hardy water lilies can tolerate cooler temperatures. You still need to plant them in the spring, but maintaining a high water temperature isn’t as important.

5

Make sure your pond is warm if you choose tropical lilies. 

Tropical species can’t tolerate water temperatures below 65 °F (18 °C), so make sure your pond or aquatic container can sustain warm water before planting. Ideally, your water should be at least 70 °F (21 °C).

6

Purchase lilies with healthy crowns and leaves. 

You can find water lilies at your local nursery or garden center, or you could ask a friend with lilies for clippings. Look for plants with healthy crowns, or the part where the stems meet the roots. Check for stems that easily pull away from the crown, and look for yellow, curling, or damaged leaves.

• An unhealthy crown and yellow leaves are signs of crown rot. It’s an incurable fungal infection, and is one of the only health issues that affect water lilies.