Planting Water Plants

Water plants produce beautiful flowers to enhance aquatic spaces.

A water garden or pond enhances your landscape with distinctive plants and the sight and sound of water. Choose fountains, waterfalls and lighting to accentuate the water plants. Fish and other water animals, such as turtles, add to the appeal. A water garden serves as the center of attraction in your garden.

Containers

Choose containers according to the size of the water garden or pond. Line plastic pots with holes in the bottom with landscape fabric or untreated burlap. Typical containers for water plants are 15 inches in diameter and 10 inches deep. Larger water plants, such as hardy water lilies or lotus, will require containers that are 20 inches in diameter and 10 inches deep.

Soil

Water plants need heavy garden soil with high clay content. Do not use soil that is high in organic matter since it will float out of the pot. Fill containers two-thirds full of damp soil before adding the plants.

Fertilizer

The amount of fertilizer depends on the type of plant, amount and intensity of sunlight, and depth and temperature of the water. Water plants are heavy feeders, but overfertilizing leads to algae problems. Press slow-release, compressed fertilizer pellets two to four inches into the soil monthly through August. Purchase fertilizer pellets specially prepared for water gardens.

Growing Conditions

Water plants require a minimum of six hours of sunlight per day. Cover all containers with a 1 to 2 inch layer of gravel or small stones to secure soil in the container. Keep roots moist and protected from the sun when planting water plants. Ensure that foliage is moist all the time when planting. Plant hardy water lilies with the rhizome off center in the container and at a slight angle. Cover the rhizome with soil until the growing point is slightly above soil level. Plant lotus and tropical water lilies in the center of the container and cover rhizomes with two to four inches of soil with the growing tip above soil level. Plant rooted emergent and submerged water plants in the center of the container and cover the roots with soil.

Water Conditions

Hardy water lilies, lotus and emergent plants can grow in cooler water that is 50 degrees Farenheit, but tropical lilies and floating water plants need 70-degree F water temperatures. Grow hardy water lilies to a depth of 12 to 18 inches over the top of the container. Plant tropical water lilies 12 inches under water, and plant lotus four to six inches under water.

References

• University of Illinois Extension; Water Gardening; 2011
• University of Maryland Extension; Basics of Planting Aquatic Plants; Raymond V. Bosmans
• Iowa State University Extension; Water Gardens: Aquatic Plants; Cindy Haynes; 2003