Growing Hardy Water Lilies

This blue water lily is an example of a hardy lily.

Hardy lilies are planted similarly to tropical lilies. Hardies grow horizontally across the aquascape, so a wide pot is necessary for planting. Plant at one edge of the container with the rhizome at a 45-degree angle and the growing tip exposed. Remember to add fertilizer, use rich garden soil, and top the soil with an inch or two of gravel or sand. The plant can be lowered to a depth of six inches, to begin with, and then lowered to a depth of 12 to 18 inches as the plant grows. Hardies should be planted in early spring. They bloom from June through September, depending on the weather, and become dormant during the colder months. As the following spring approaches, growth will begin again. For questions on growing your lilies or any other water plant, contact us here. Happy Aquascaping!