Growing Tropical Water Lilies

Tropical Water Lily

Day and night blooming, tropical water lilies should be planted in three to five-gallon pots at least 12 inches in diameter. Fill the pot half full with a rich garden soil and add two to four fertilizer tablets, then continue to fill the pot with soil to about two inches from the top. The plant should be set upright with the roots buried gently in the soil. Make sure the growing tip of the plant is not buried. Next, add an inch or two of gravel or sand in order to prevent the soil from escaping from the container. Remember to keep the gravel away from the crown of the plant. Lower the lily into the water to a depth of approximately six inches. As the plant grows, it can be lowered to a depth of 12 inches. Tropical lilies cannot tolerate cold temperatures and should not be planted until the water reaches at least 70 degrees. Planting too early can cause dormancy and restrict the potential growth of the plant. Tropicals bloom from late spring through early fall, depending on the weather. If you have any questions, we would love to hear from you here. Happy Aquascaping!

Plant Spotlight: Mosaic Plant

Ludwigia Sedioides—better known as the Mosaic Plant—presents as three-inch round clusters of small red and green leaves. Its colorful appearance makes the Mosaic plant a favorite among pond aquascapers. Flourishing in calm, warm water, this is the perfect addition to your pond for the summer! Your water temperatures must be 70 to 75 degrees for this tropical plant. Mosaic plants need their water pH to be below eight to survive, as it does not tolerate water with high pH. You can plant Mosaic about six inches below the surface, and the leaf clusters will spread about two feet across. The Mosaic plant is a very unique water garden plant that will spread well in warm water. 

Growing Oxygenating Plants

Oxygenating plants in underwater environment.

All ponds should have underwater oxygenating plants to help maintain clean, clear water. Oxygenating plants should be planted in individual containers of approximately one-gallon capacity. Fill the pot half full with rich garden soil and add one fertilizer tablet for one-gallon size pots and two tablets for two or three-gallon size pots; then continue to fill the pot with soil to about two inches from the top. Completely submerge these plants to a depth of at least 12 inches. Fertilize once per month with one tablet. Happy Aquascaping!

Growing Marginal Plants

Blue Irises

When planting marginals, use individual containers of approximately one to three-gallon capacity. Some marginal plants are grown in two-inch net pots, and it’s best to leave these net pots to avoid damaging the roots. Fill the pot half full with rich garden soil and add one fertilizer tablet for one-gallon size pots and two tablets for two or three-gallon size pots; then continue to fill the pot with soil to about two inches from the top. Marginal plants should be lowered to a depth of only one to three inches. They grow out of the water and are usually found at the water’s edge. Add a variety of marginal plants to your pond or other aquascapes through our Shop page. Happy Aquascaping!