How to Plant Plants With Dirt in a Water Feature

Line an aquatic basket with landscape fabric cut to fit the basket and have enough on the top to overlap the surface of the soil. Container sizes are an important consideration. Hardy water lilies need 15-inch diameter containers that are at least 10 inches deep, while tropicals lilies need a deeper 20-inch diameter container. Other types of aquatic plants generally fit into containers from 6 to 20 inches wide.

Place pieces of stone or large rocks in the bottom of the basket. You only need enough to weight the basket. Do not use pieces of brick as it will break down in the water and leave silty clay behind.

Pour your soil into the basket until it is two-thirds full. The soil needs to be very dense. You can purchase aquatic soil but the soil in your garden is generally suitable. Potting soil mixes should not be used as they have perlite or vermiculite which will just float. Saturate the soil in the basket until it is soaking wet all the way to the bottom of the container.

Immerse your aquatic plant in the soil at the same level it was planted in its nursery pot. For water lilies plant the rhizome 4 to 6 inches under the surface of the soil with the growing points or eyes facing up. Back fill with more soil but leave a 1/2-inch space at the top of the pot. Press the soil in well around the roots or rhizomes.

Fold the ends of the landscape fabric over the top of the soil. Cut off any excess and tuck the edges into the sides of the container. Spread a layer of fine gravel, such as pea gravel, over the top of the folded fabric. This will hold the fabric down and help keep the soil in the basket.