From our perspective, the foundation of a thriving existence is the right environment. For us water lilies, this means a suitable container and clean, still water. We do not require a natural pond; a large, wide, and shallow container without drainage holes will suffice. The width is more important than depth, as our roots and rhizomes spread horizontally. Aim for a container that holds at least 40-60 litres of water and is approximately 30-45 cm deep. This volume of water helps stabilize temperature and nutrient levels, creating a stable home where we can establish ourselves without stress.
Do not use standard garden soil or rich, organic potting mix, as these will leach excess nutrients into the water, promoting unsightly and oxygen-depleting algae growth. Instead, provide us with a heavy, loamy clay soil or a specific aquatic planting media. This type of soil is poor in nutrients that readily dissolve but is heavy enough to anchor our roots and prevent them from floating away. Before planting, mix in a slow-release aquatic fertiliser tablet into the soil. This provides us with the essential nourishment we need directly at our roots, fueling our growth and future blooms without polluting the water column.
When you plant us, please use a wide, shallow aquatic basket lined with hessian to contain the soil. Place our tuber or rhizome at a 45-degree angle with the growing tip pointing upwards and towards the centre of the container. Gently cover the roots with your prepared soil, but leave the crown (the point where the roots meet the stem) exposed. If buried too deeply, the crown will rot, and we will perish. After planting, top the soil with a layer of coarse gravel or pebbles. This crucial step weighs down the soil, preventing it from clouding your water and, more importantly, stopping curious fish from uprooting us as we settle into our new home.
Initially, place our potted form on bricks or inverted pots in the water feature so that the crown is only 15-20 cm below the water's surface. This allows our young leaves to easily reach the surface for light. As we grow and our stems lengthen, you can gradually lower us to our final depth. Our final preferred depth is specific to our variety; dwarf types enjoy 15-30 cm of water over their crown, while larger, more vigorous varieties can thrive in 45-60 cm of water. We demand full sunlight for at least 5-6 hours daily to produce our beautiful flowers. Without ample light, we will focus merely on survival, producing leaves but few to no blooms.
We are perennial plants, meaning we will go through cycles of growth and dormancy with the seasons. In spring and summer, we will reward your care with lush lily pads and stunning flowers. As autumn approaches and temperatures drop, our foliage will yellow and die back. It is important to remove this decaying matter from the water to maintain quality. In colder climates, if your container is likely to freeze solid, you may need to move us to the deepest part or overwinter us in a cool, frost-free place. Come spring, we will awaken, and with a new aquatic fertiliser tablet, we will begin the cycle of growth anew, ready to beautify your backyard water feature once more.
