Waterlilies grow best when planted in a large aquatic planter with proper planting media, receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, and are fertilized throughout the growing season.
1. Choose the right aquatic planter
- Hardy waterlilies need an aquatic planter at least 10 in. (25 cm) wide.
- A larger planter, such as a 14 in. (36 cm) Aquatic Lily Planter, provides additional room for root growth.
2. Use aquatic planting media
- Add approximately 1 in. (2.5 cm) of Aquascape Pond Plant Potting Media to the bottom of the planter.
- If using once-a-year aquatic plant fertilizer, apply the recommended amount according to the product instructions and cover it with additional planting media.
3. Plant the waterlily
- Carefully remove the waterlily from its original container.
- Position the plant in the aquatic planter, maintaining its original planting depth.
- Fill around the roots with aquatic planting media.
- If using fertilizer tablets instead of annual fertilizer, insert them according to the manufacturer's directions.
- Cover the planting media with small river rocks or gravel to prevent soil from washing into the pond.
4. Place the waterlily at the correct pond depth
- Follow the recommended planting depth on the waterlily's identification tag.
- Many hardy waterlilies grow well at depths of 12–24 in. (30–61 cm), depending on the variety.
- Use a pond plant shelf if needed to position the waterlily at the proper depth.
5. Provide adequate sunlight and fertilizer
Sunlight requirements:
- Most waterlilies need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for consistent flowering.
- Insufficient sunlight may produce healthy lily pads but fewer flowers.
- Some shade-tolerant varieties can bloom with approximately 3–4 hours of direct sunlight.
Fertilization requirements:
- Once-a-year aquatic plant fertilizer: Apply once at the beginning of the growing season according to the product instructions.
- Aquatic plant fertilizer tablets or capsules: Reapply throughout the growing season according to the manufacturer's recommended schedule.
Proper sunlight, planting depth, and fertilization help waterlilies develop healthy foliage and produce colorful blooms throughout the growing season.
Not all Aquascape products are available in every country. Availability may vary due to regional requirements, local regulations, and other market-specific conditions. In some cases, products may be marketed under different names based on imperial or metric measurements, or due to country-specific product naming regulations and labeling requirements.
To determine which products are available in your region, please visit the product pages specific to your country on the Aquascape site.