Growing water lilies (Nymphaea spp.) in a confined aquatic environment is an eminently achievable project that brings immense aesthetic and ecological value. From our perspective as plants, successfully cultivating us requires an understanding of our fundamental needs for space, light, nutrients, and proper placement. By meeting these core requirements, you can create a thriving miniature ecosystem.
Our first and most critical requirement is that you choose a variety suited to the size of your pond or container. We are broadly categorized as hardy or tropical, and more importantly, by size: dwarf, small, and medium. For a small pond under 50 square feet or a container as small as 15-20 gallons, you must select a true dwarf or small cultivar. Examples include Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Helvola' (a dwarf yellow) or Nymphaea 'Aurora' (a small changeable variety). Planting a large, vigorous lily in a small space will lead to overcrowding, poor flowering, and ultimately, our decline as we become root-bound and starved of resources.
We cannot be planted in just any soil. We require a heavy, loamy clay garden soil that is free of organic matter like peat moss or manure, which would float away and foul the water. A specialized aquatic planting basket is ideal, as it contains our roots while allowing water exchange. Plant our tuber or rhizome at a 45-degree angle with the growing tip exposed and pointing towards the center of the container. Top the soil with a layer of gravel or small stones to prevent it from washing away and to deter curious fish from uprooting us.
Depth of planting is paramount to our survival and flowering. Initially, place our planted container so that the crown (where the leaves emerge) is 4-6 inches below the water's surface. As we grow, you can gradually lower us to our preferred depth, which for small varieties is typically between 6 and 18 inches. Our second non-negotiable need is sunlight. We are sun-loving plants and require a minimum of 5-6 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day to produce our beautiful blooms. Without sufficient light, we will become leggy, produce few to no flowers, and slowly weaken.
While we draw some nutrients from the water, the confined space of a container or small pond offers limited resources. To fuel our growth and prolific blooming, we require regular feeding. The best method is to use specialized aquatic plant fertilizer tabs. Push these tablets into the soil near our roots at the beginning of the growing season and again every 4-6 weeks until late summer. Regular maintenance involves removing yellowing leaves and spent flowers by cutting the stem close to the base. This keeps the water clean and encourages new growth and more blooms.
