How to Care for Water Lily (Nymphaea) for the Best Plant Growth

Many new gardeners find their lilies yellowing, refusing to flower, or sinking below the surface. All because of a few small care mistakes. A Reddit user, r/HawaiiGardening, is stuck with a similar query about taking care of their water lilies.

Water lilies (genus Nymphaea) are aquatic plants that add beauty and balance to ponds and water gardens. In Canada, you’ll find both hardy (zone 4-9) and tropical water lilies. Hardy types can survive winter in northern climates, while tropical ones need protection from frost.

If you’ve ever wondered “Why won’t my water lily bloom?” or “How deep should I plant it?”, this guide is for you. You’ll learn exactly how to water a water lily and properly care for its growth.

In addition, we will share top-notch troubleshooting tips for common issues to help your water lily thrive all season long.

Quick Water Lily Care Guide

• Light: Needs full sun, at least 6-8 hours daily for healthy leaves and flowers.
• Water: Keep in still, clean water (no fountains or splashing). Ideal depth is 12-24 inches above the pot. Avoid tap water unless it’s been dechlorinated.
• Soil: Use heavy clay or aquatic soil so the plant stays anchored. Avoid light potting mixes, as they’ll float and cloud the water.
• Temperature: Water lilies love warm water (65-85°F / 18-29°C). Tropical types need it warmer (above 70°F). Hardy ones can handle cold but must not freeze solid.
• Fertilizer: Push aquatic fertilizer tablets into the soil every 4-6 weeks in spring and summer. Never add fertilizer directly to the water.
• Pruning: Regularly cut off yellow or dead leaves and faded flowers to keep the water clean. In spring, remove about one-third of old leaves when repotting.
• Where to Buy Water Lily: Contact MyGreenScape to get a fresh Water Lily plant with a 30-day Happy Plant Guarantee. 

How to Identify a Water Lily (Nymphaea)

Water lilies are easy to recognize once you know what to look for.

Here’s a simple table to help you quickly identify a true Nymphaea species.

Note: This guide comprehensively covers how to take care water lily plant, which is an outdoor plant. But if you have an indoor plant, read our comprehensive guide on how to take care of indoor plants.

What is the Basic Water Lily Care Guide?

Water lilies grow best when a few simple conditions are met. Here’s the beginner-friendly breakdown of what they need to stay healthy and bloom reliably.

How Much Light Do Water Lilies Require?

• Give full sun for blooms (at least 6-8 hours daily).
• Place containers or tubs in the brightest area of your yard, patio, or balcony.
• Use still, warm water (no fountains or splashing).
• Avoid tap water unless you let it sit for 24 hours or use a dechlorinator.

How to Satisfy Water Lily Fertilization and Soil Needs

• Use heavy clay soil or aquatic plant soil (keeps the plant anchored).
• Avoid regular potting soil (it floats and clouds the water).
• Fertilize through the soil only, using aquatic fertilizer tablets pushed near the rhizome every 4-6 weeks in spring and summer.
• Do not add fertilizer directly into the water.

P.S. Read our ultimate guide on indoor plant watering to learn how to water your indoor plants for their optimal growth.

Temperature & Humidity Requirements for Water Lily

• Ideal water temperature: 65-85°F (18-29°C).
• Tropical lilies need warmer water (above 70°F) and slow down when cool.
• Hardy lilies manage cooler Canadian temperatures but the roots must not freeze solid.
• Humidity isn’t important. Water lilies take everything they need from the water environment.

How to Prune & Repot Water Lily Plants

Water lilies stay healthier and bloom more when they’re trimmed and repotted at the right time. Here’s the simplest way to do it.

Pruning: How to Keep Your Water Lily Clean and Healthy

• Remove yellow, damaged, or rotting leaves as soon as you see them.
• Snip off spent flowers to prevent decay in the water.
• In early spring, prune away about one-third of old leaves to make room for new growth.
• Always cut stems close to the rhizome (but avoid cutting the rhizome itself).
• Regular pruning keeps the water clear and encourages stronger blooms.

Repotting: How to Pot Water Lily for the Optimal Growth

Water lilies usually need repotting every 1-2 years, especially when pads become crowded.

1. Choose the Right Pot

• Use wide, shallow containers (about 12-16 inches wide and 8-10 inches deep).
• Avoid tall, narrow pots (they cause weak growth and floating pots).
• Choose solid containers (no drainage holes needed underwater).

2. Prepare the Soil

• Use heavy clay soil or aquatic plant soil.
• Avoid potting mix (it floats and makes murky water).

3. Place and Anchor the Plant Correctly

• Set the rhizome at a 45° angle, with the growing tip (“eye”) pointing upward.
• Leave the growing tip exposed so new leaves can easily rise to the surface.
• Press soil firmly and optionally add a thin layer of pea gravel to keep soil in place.
• Insert aquatic fertilizer tablets into the soil (not the water).

4. Submerge the Pot

• Lower gently into your pond or container.
• Ideal depth: 12-24 inches of water above the pot for most hardy lilies.
• If pads cannot reach the surface, start shallower and lower gradually.

How to Propagate a Water Lily?

Water lilies can be propagated in two main ways:

Rhizome Division (Most Common & Easiest)

Best for hardy lilies and the method recommended for beginners.

Seed Propagation (Advanced)

Slow and unpredictable (mainly used by growers or hybridizers).

For home gardeners, rhizome division is the reliable method. Here’s how to do it.

Step-by-Step Guide to Propagating Water Lilies (Rhizome Division)

1. Remove the Plant From Its Pot

• Lift the water lily pot out of the pond or container.
• Rinse gently to expose the rhizome and roots.
• Trim away dead leaves so you can clearly see the growth points.

2. Identify Healthy Sections and Cut the Rhizome

• Look for firm and healthy roots.
• Use a clean, sharp knife or pruners.
• Cut the rhizome into sections 3-4 inches long, each with a visible growing tip.
• Remove old roots or damaged tissue.

3. Prepare the Pot

• Choose a wide, shallow container (the same type used for repotting).
• Fill with heavy clay or aquatic soil.
• Fertilizer tablets can be added now (in the soil, never in the water).

4. Plant Each Rhizome Section

• Hold each piece at a 45° angle.
• Bury only the back end of the rhizome (leave the growing tip slightly above the soil).
• Press soil firmly to anchor it.

5. Submerge the Pot in Water

• Slowly lower the pot into your pond or tub.
• Keep the water level 12-18 inches above the pot until new leaves reach the surface.
• New leaves should appear within 1-3 weeks in warm weather.

Note: If you want your new water lily divisions to grow well, this guide on the best soil for indoor plants in Canada will help you pick the right soil mix.

Practical Tips for Home Gardeners to Grow Water Lilies

Here are beginner-friendly tips to help your water lily thrive in small ponds, tubs, or patio water gardens.

Container or Indoor/Patio Growing

• You can grow water lilies easily in large tubs, half-barrels, or water garden kits.
• Choose a wide, shallow container and place it where it gets full sun.
• For mosquito control in outdoor tubs, add a few small fish (like platies or goldfish). They eat mosquito larvae and keep the water cleaner.
• Companion Planting for a Balanced Water Garden

Pair lilies with other aquatic plants that support a healthy mini-ecosystem:

• Marginals: irises, rushes, cattails
• Floaters: water lettuce, frogbit
• Submerged oxygenators: hornwort, anacharis

These help reduce algae and stabilize water quality.

Benefits of Growing Water Lilies

• Shade for fish: Pads cool the water and protect goldfish/koi.
• Algae control: Shaded water slows algae growth.
• Pollinator-friendly: Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and dragonflies.
• Easy beauty: Once established, lilies bloom all summer with minimal effort.

Common Water Lily Problems & Solutions

Here are the most common issues beginner gardeners face, and the simplest fixes to keep your water lily healthy.

1. Yellowing Leaves

Cause: Old growth, low nutrients, or not enough sun.

Fix:

• Remove old/yellow leaves.
• Add aquatic fertilizer tablets to the soil.
• Ensure 6-8 hours of full sun daily.

2. Algae or Murky Water

Cause: Too much sun on open water, excess nutrients, or unbalanced ecosystem.

Fix:

• Add floating plants (water lettuce, frogbit) for shade.
• Add a few small fish to eat algae and debris.
• Avoid over-fertilizing (tablets only, never loose fertilizer).
  

 

3. Pests (Aphids, Beetles, Caterpillars)

Cause: Warm weather attracts small insects to soft leaves.

Fix:

• Rinse leaves gently with water.
• Use safe insecticidal soap on severe infestations.
• Remove damaged leaves to stop the spread.

4. Crown Rot

Cause: Rotting rhizome from cold water, poor soil, or overcrowding.

Fix:

• Remove and discard infected rhizome sections.
• Repot healthy sections in fresh, heavy aquatic soil.
• Ensure water isn’t too cold for tropical lilies (they decline quickly).

5. Mosquitoes

Cause: Still water without fish or circulation.

Fix:

• Add small fish (platies, goldfish); they eat larvae.
• Use biological mosquito dunks (Bti) if needed.
• Remove dead leaves that trap stagnant water.

But aphids, beetles, and caterpillars are not the only pests that hurt plants. Learn about more pests that you should look for to take care of your plants.

A Reddit user recently shared a similar experience, which adds helpful context.

How do I take care of my water lily?
byu/DisplayNo3355 inHawaiiGardening

What Seasonal Care Do Water Lilies Need?

Water lilies grow differently throughout the year. Here’s the simple seasonal care you need for both hardy and tropical types.

Summer Care

• Give full sun and keep water warm (above 65°F / 18°C).
• Fertilize with aquatic tablets every 4-6 weeks.
• Remove yellow leaves and faded flowers weekly.
• Keep water depth steady: 12-24 inches above the pot for hardy lilies.

Winter Care

Hardy Water Lilies

• Hardy lilies survive winter if the rhizome stays below the ice line.
• Move pots to the deepest part of the pond (so water doesn’t freeze solid).
• Stop fertilizing in fall (the plant will naturally go dormant).
• Trim dead growth but do not disturb the rhizome.

Tropical Water Lilies

• Tropical lilies cannot survive freezing.
• Bring indoors and overwinter in a container kept above 70°F (21°C).
• Reduce watering in winter and keep the tub in a sunny, warm spot.

FAQs

1. Is water lily the same as lotus?

No. Water lilies (Nymphaea) float on the water surface with round pads. Lotuses (Nelumbo) rise above the water with tall stems and different seed pods.

2. What does a water lily symbolize?

Water lilies often symbolize peace, purity, renewal, and calmness in many cultures.

3. Do water lilies attract mosquitoes?

Yes, water lilies can attract mosquitoes because they create calm, still water where the insects can lay their eggs. However, adding small fish (goldfish, platies) prevents larvae completely.

4. Why do water lily leaves stay dry?

Water lily leaves stay dry because their pads have a wax-like coating that repels water, helping them float and resist damage.

Conclusion

Water lily care is simple once you follow the basics: full sun, still warm water, heavy soil, and steady fertilizing. With regular pruning and seasonal adjustments, your lily will reward you with healthy pads and bright summer blooms.

This guide covered everything beginner gardeners need for growing their lilies, along with troubleshooting and seasonal care tips.

Ready to grow your own? Explore water lilies and more top-notch plants from a trustworthy source.