How to Start Pond Plants

Starting Tropical Water Lilies

• 1

  Fill a 10-inch black plastic planter with well-moistened soil, leaving about 2 inches of head-space at the top. Be sure the pot has several holes in its base to allow pond water to penetrate.

• 2

  Place the root of a tropical water lily with the crown side up in the center of the pot. Cover the crown with soil. Slip a fertilizer tablet that's specially formulated for water lilies into the soil.

• 3

  Cover the soil with about 1 inch of pea gravel. Tamp down gently to ensure that the soil and plant remain in the pot when submerged.

• 4

  Install tropical water lilies in the pond to a depth of about 18 inches. Avoid placing lilies near waterfalls or fountains as they prefer still waters.

Starting Hardy Water Lilies

• 5

  Fill a black plastic planter 6 to 12 inches deep with well-moistened soil, leaving about 1 inch of head-space at the top. Cut several holes in the pot base to allow the pond water to penetrate.

• 6

  Scoop a shallow depression into the soil. Insert a hardy lily rhizome into the soil. Tilt the rhizome at an angle so that its tip is at the 10 o'clock or 2 o'clock position.

• 7

  Cover the rhizome with soil. Insert a water lily fertilizer tablet into the soil. Leave the tip of the lily rhizome exposed just above the soil top.

• 8

  Sprinkle pea gravel atop the soil and press down gently. Keep the rhizome tip uncovered.

• 9

  Install the hardy water lilies in pond water that's between 6 to 18 inches deep. Be sure the top of the pot is submerged.

Starting Floating Pond Plants

• 10

  Wash the root ends of floating pond plants such as duckweed or water ferns in clear, cool water. Keep the floaters wet until they are ready to be started in the pond.

• 11

  Grasp a small handful of the floating pond plants. Hold the plants lightly at the water's edge. Gently submerge your hand and open it underwater.

• 12

  Separate clumped floaters with a gentle prod of a stick as they rise to the surface. Floaters do not require soil.