Water lilies should be divided and repotted when they become overcrowded, outgrow their containers, or produce fewer flowers. Early spring, when new growth begins, is the best time to divide hardy water lilies. Repotting is also an ideal time to fertilize them.
When should I divide and repot water lilies?
Divide or repot water lilies when:
- Flower production decreases.
- Roots or rhizomes become overcrowded.
- Multiple growing crowns compete for space.
- The plant outgrows its container.
What products do I need?
Aquascape recommends the following products for dividing, repotting, and fertilizing water lilies:
- Aquatic Lily Planter – Flexible, porous fabric planter measuring 14 in. (36 cm) in diameter and 7 in. (18 cm) high.
- Heavy-Duty Aquatic Plant Pots – Available in 12, 16, and 20 in. (30, 41, and 51 cm) diameters. These fabric planters provide additional growing space for larger water lilies.
- Pond Plant Potting Media – Aquatic planting media that supports healthy root development without clouding pond water.
- Once-A-Year Pond Plant Fertilizer – Granular fertilizer recommended when planting or repotting water lilies. Provides nutrients for up to 180 days.
How do I divide, repot, and fertilize water lilies?
- Remove the water lily. Carefully lift the water lily from the pond and remove it from its planter.
- Inspect the rhizome. Gently remove excess planting media and trim away dead roots and leaves.
- Divide the rhizome. Using a clean, sharp knife, separate healthy sections. Each division should have a growing tip and attached roots.
- Prepare the planter. Choose an appropriately sized Aquascape aquatic planter. Add approximately 1 in. (2.5 cm) of Pond Plant Potting Media to the bottom.
- Add fertilizer. Spread Once-A-Year Pond Plant Fertilizer granules evenly over the planting media, following the package directions for the planter size.
-
Position the water lily.
- Hardy water lilies: Position the rhizome at approximately a 45° angle, with the growing tip near the planting media surface and pointing toward the center of the planter.
- Tropical water lilies: Position the rhizome in the center of the planter, with the growing tip exposed.
- Add planting media. Cover the roots and completely bury the fertilizer, keeping the growing tip exposed.
- Cover with gravel. Add a layer of washed gravel or small stones over the planting media to help prevent it from washing away.
- Return the water lily to the pond. Slowly lower the planter into the water at the recommended planting depth for the water lily variety.
How do I care for water lilies after repotting?
- Sunlight: Provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Fertilizer: Use Once-A-Year Pond Plant Fertilizer during repotting. For established plants that do not need repotting, use Once-A-Year Pond Plant Fertilizer Capsules according to the package directions.
- Maintenance: Remove yellowing or decaying leaves and monitor for healthy new growth.
- Growing space: Check the planter periodically for overcrowded roots or rhizomes.
Important: Hardy and tropical water lilies have different growth habits and planting requirements. Always follow the recommended planting depth and care instructions for your specific variety.
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.