A Beginner's Guide to Growing Water Lilies in Your Pond

Water lilies are among the most beautiful plants, creating a calming effect and colorful presence in the pond. The floating leaves and vibrant flowers cast a spell over every outdoor space. If you are eager to learn how to grow water lily in pond, you have come to the right place.

Whether you are an absolute beginner in gardening or would like to refresh your knowledge, growing water lilies is easier than it seems. With some preparation and care, these beautiful plants can slowly cover your pond. Let us talk about the key steps!

Knowing the Water Lily

Before you begin, it is good to know that there are two major kinds of water lilies: hardy and tropical.

●      Hardy water lilies can withstand cold winters and come back every year.

●      Tropical water lilies love warm weather and have more brightly colored, perfume-scented flowers, but freezing temperatures will kill them.

Choose whichever best suits your pond's climate and your preference.

Preparing Your Pond

A healthy pond is necessary for the water lily to grow. The pond must receive at least 5-6 hours of sunlight every day. Water lilies grow best under warm, sunny conditions. The water must also be still because strong currents may crush the plants. If you have fountains or aerators, keep the water lilies away from those areas.

Choosing the Right Planting Method

When deciding how to grow water lily in pond, you can straight plant them into the pond bed (assumed to have proper soil) or use containers. Usage of container is typically used for beginners as it will lessen your problems controlling the soil, and you may also move the plants when needed.

Use a shallow and wide container with no holes in the bottom. Fill it with heavy clay soil or special soil for aquatic plants.

Planting Water Lilies Step-by-Step

Here is a step-by-step description of the ways by which you can plant water lilies:

1. Prepare the Container: Fill about 3/4 with aquatic soil.

2. Rhizome Positioning: The rhizome (root) is then angled 45 degrees above the soil.

3. Add Pea-sized Gravel: Put a thin layer of pea gravel on top to hold the soil down.

4. Fertilizing: Use aquatic fertilizer tablets to help the water lilies grow.

5. Lowering into Pond: Gradually lower the container towards a depth of about 12 to 18 inches. The container can be reduced further as the plant grows.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even if you know how to grow water lilies in a pond, beginners sometimes make mistakes:

●      Planting too deep: If planted too deep during its initial stage, the water lily may never reach the surface.

●      Wrong soil: Ordinary garden soil is too light and might cloud your pond water.

●      Too much shade: Sunlight is needed for flowering; otherwise, you won't see many flowers.

Conclusion

Adding water lilies to your pond is a great way to make it more beautiful and healthy. Knowing how to grow water lily in a pond helps you create a lively water garden that you can enjoy for years.

At SAIWC, we offer high-quality aquatic plants, pond supplies, and expert gardening tips. Whether new or experienced, you can count on SAIWC to help you build the pond you've always wanted. Visit us today to see our wide selection of products and services!

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The International Waterlily Collection

International Waterlily Collection was founded by Ken and he is an important member of the International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society (IWGS)