How to plant a waterlily: Common mistakes to avoid

Properly planting a waterlily helps promote healthy root growth, larger lily pads, and more flowers. Common mistakes include leaving the plant in a small nursery pot, using the wrong planting media, fertilizing incorrectly, and placing the waterlily at the wrong depth.

How to plant a potted waterlily

1. Choose a large aquatic planter. Remove the waterlily from its original nursery container and transfer it to a larger planter that provides room for root growth. The Aquascape Heavy-Duty Aquatic Plant Pots are recommended for waterlilies.
2. Add aquatic planting media. Place approximately 1 in. (2.5 cm) of Aquascape Pond Plant Potting Media in the bottom of the planter.
3. Add fertilizer. Apply Aquascape Once-A-Year Pond Plant Fertilizer according to the package directions. Cover the fertilizer with a thin layer of planting media.
4. Position the waterlily. Carefully remove the plant from its nursery container, keeping the roots and existing soil intact when possible. Position it in the larger planter at its original planting depth.
5. Fill around the roots. Add aquatic planting media around the waterlily, leaving the crown (where new leaves emerge) exposed.
6. Cover the planting media. Add a layer of washed river rocks or small pebbles to prevent soil from washing into the pond and discourage fish from disturbing the roots.
7. Place the waterlily in the pond. Slowly lower the planter into the water at the depth recommended on the plant's identification tag. Most waterlilies require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

How to plant a bare-root waterlily

Bare-root waterlilies arrive without an established nursery pot and require slightly different planting.

• Select a wide aquatic planter and fill it with aquatic planting media.
• Position the rhizome (the thick, horizontal stem from which roots and leaves grow) according to the instructions for the waterlily variety.
• Cover the roots with planting media while keeping the growing tip exposed.
• Add aquatic plant fertilizer according to the product directions.
• Cover the planting media with washed gravel or small pebbles.
• Slowly lower the planter into the pond at the recommended planting depth.

Common waterlily planting mistakes to avoid

• Leaving the waterlily in a small nursery pot: Restricted root growth can reduce plant development and flowering.
• Using regular garden soil or unsuitable potting mixes: Use planting media specifically designed for aquatic plants to help prevent soil from clouding the pond.
• Burying the growing crown: Cover the roots without burying the growing point where new leaves emerge.
• Forgetting fertilizer: Waterlilies require nutrients to support healthy foliage and flowering. Follow the fertilizer manufacturer's instructions.
• Placing the waterlily too deep: Follow the recommended planting depth for the specific variety. Many hardy waterlilies grow well in 12–24 in. (30–61 cm) of water.
• Providing insufficient sunlight: Most waterlilies need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for consistent flowering.

Proper planter size, aquatic planting media, fertilizer, sunlight, and planting depth help waterlilies establish healthy roots and produce flowers throughout the growing season.