How to Grow Tropical Water Lilies

Tropical water lilies are scented flowers that range in size from miniature flowers to giant plants. They are commonly grown in large containers or small ponds, and they must grow in air and water temperatures of 70 degrees or higher. It's best to plant tropical water lilies during the spring so that they can produce colorful blossoms during the summer. Follow the steps below to grow your tropical water lilies.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Fill a large plastic pot with water and let it sit overnight. Then, plant the tropical water lilies, using a topsoil and organic compost mix, in a large, whiskey barrel-sized container. Place the potted water lilies into a larger water-filled container. If you have a small pond in your backyard, dig a depression in the bottom of the pond and lower the potted water lilies into the space.

2. Put your container of water lilies in an area where you can get the most sunlight, or if you have a pond, make sure it is near some sun. Tropical water lilies need at least five to six hours of direct sunlight to grow.

3. Watch your tropical water lilies grow two weeks after planting them. The flower blossoms should then appear in two to four more weeks.

4. Trim any dead or yellowing leaves from the tropical water lilies' surface so that they don't sink to the bottom, decompose and destroy the rest of the plant. Prune the stems for even growth, and use fertilizer tablets for the soil twice a month. The tropical water lilies will continue to grow until the first winter frost, then they will become dormant and die.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the tropical water lilies are planted in 15- to 20-quart containers filled with six to 18 inches of water flowing slightly over the tips.
• Wait one to two weeks after planting your tropical water lilies if you want to add fish into your pond. This will allow time for the water quality to change to accommodate the fish. Use a small pump to add oxygen to the water, which will keep the fish and plants healthy. Small bubbles in the water are acceptable since the leaves of the tropical water lilies are fragile and do not withstand a lot of water pressure.
• Do not use store-bought potting soil. A rich soil must be used to keep the roots of the tropical water lilies moist. Store-bought potting soil may dry out the plant and cause it to go dormant.
• Avoid overstocking your pond with fish. It's important to keep your pond clean by stocking it with just the right amount of tropical water lilies. Also, don't drain and clean your pond too often. This could disrupt the ecosystem of your pond and interfere with the proper growth of your tropical water lilies.