How to Grow and Care for Water Lilies in Your Pond

Hardy water lilies are one of the most rewarding pond plants you can add to your backyard water garden. Their beautiful floating flowers create an instant focal point, while their large leaves provide shade and shelter for fish and help create a more balanced pond ecosystem.

Unlike tropical water lilies, hardy varieties are well suited to Australia's changing seasons. They naturally become dormant during winter before returning each spring with fresh growth and spectacular blooms throughout the warmer months.

Their beautiful floating flowers add colour throughout the warmer months while providing valuable shade for fish and helping to create a balanced pond ecosystem. Whether you're planting your first water lily or adding another variety to your collection, choosing the right cultivar and caring for it correctly will reward you with years of spectacular blooms.

These aquatic plants not only add visual appeal, but also provide shade and shelter for fish and other aquatic life. They can be grown  from a corm, which is a specialised underground stem that stores nutrients and energy for the plant.

Discover Our Hardy Water Lily Collection

At We Know Water Gardens, we specialise in hardy water lilies selected for Australian ponds. Hardy water lilies are a favourite choice for backyard ponds because they tolerate cooler winters, return each spring and provide months of beautiful flowers throughout the warmer growing season. Shop the complete hardy water lily range here!

Choose the Right Variety of Water Lily

Before you start growing water lilies in your pond, it's important to choose the right variety for your specific conditions. Some water lilies prefer full sun, while others do better in partial shade. Additionally, some varieties are better suited for smaller ponds, while others can thrive in larger bodies of water. 

Water lilies are divided into two main categories: hardy and tropical. Hardy water lilies can be grown in all climates of Australia and withstand cold winters if they are planted below the freezing line in a water feature.

At We Know Water Gardens, we specialise in the hardy variety of water lilies. Our water lilies can withstand the cold conditions by going into dormancy over winter.

Depending on what part of Australia you are from, tropical water lilies need to be stored or treated as annuals during the winter months. Both types of water lilies will produce beautiful and unique blooms that float on the surface of the water.

One of the distinguishing features of water lilies is their long stalks, which hold the flowers high above the surface of the water. Colours range from shades of blue and purple in tropical varieties while hardy water lilies are limited to hues of yellow, red, white, pink, and pastel orange.There are both day-blooming and night-blooming varieties. However, hardy water lilies only bloom during the day.

Choosing the Right Hardy Water Lily

Variety	Flower Colour	Best For
Hermine	Pure white	Small ponds
Bianco	White	Formal ponds
David	Orange with soft pink blush	Cottage gardens
Fabiola	Soft pink	Small to medium ponds
Colorado	Peach and salmon	Feature ponds
Sioux	Yellow, apricot & pink	Colour-changing blooms
Darwin	Deep pink	Medium to large ponds
Attraction	Deep crimson red	Large ponds

 

Why Are Water Lilies Supplied as Dormant Corms?

At We Know Water Gardens, our hardy water lilies are supplied as dormant corms (rhizomes) rather than established potted plants. This allows them to be shipped safely throughout Australia and establish naturally once planted into an aquatic basket. With the correct care, the corm will quickly develop roots, floating leaves and beautiful flowers during the growing season.

Growing Water Lilies from Corms

Water lilies can be grown from what is known as a corm, which is an underground stem or rhizome that stores nutrients and energy for the plant.

We believe that water lilies grow best when started from a corm and our collection is sold as a corm.

 

Here are some benefits of growing water lilies from a corm:

• Faster growth: When you plant a water lily corm, you can expect the plant to grow much faster than if you were starting from seed. This is because the corm already contains stored nutrients and energy that can help the plant establish itself more quickly.
• Stronger plants: Water lilies grown from a corm tend to be stronger and healthier than those grown from seed. This is because the corm provides the plant with a solid foundation from which to grow, and the stored nutrients help the plant to develop strong roots and leaves.
• Better flowers: Water lilies grown from a corm are more likely to produce larger and more vibrant flowers than those grown from seed. This is because the corm provides the plant with the energy and nutrients it needs to produce beautiful blooms.
• Easier to propagate: Water lilies grown from a corm are also easier to propagate than those grown from seed. Once the plant has established itself, you can divide the corm and replant the sections to create new plants.

Overall, growing water lilies from a corm is a great way to enjoy beautiful, healthy plants that produce stunning flowers. Shop the complete hardy water lily range here!

How to Plant Your Water Lily Correctly.

When planting your water lily, it's important to follow a few key steps to ensure its success. First, choose a pot that is large enough to accommodate the plant's root system. Pond Lilly baskets that are greater then 200 mm in size are

ideal for this.  Fill the pot with a mixture of loamy soil (this soil will hold its shape when wet and can usually be found in most backyard gardens).  Fill the pot leaving enough room at the top for the plant's crown. Gently place the plant in the pot, making sure the crown is above the soil line. Finally, add a layer of gravel on top to help keep the soil in place and prevent fish from disturbing the roots.

 

Where to Position and how to Feed your water lilies.

Water lilies require plenty of sunlight to thrive, so it's important to choose a location in your pond that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Additionally, water lilies are heavy feeders and require regular fertilization to promote healthy growth and blooming. Use a slow-release fertilizer specifically designed for aquatic plants, and apply according to the package instructions. With proper sunlight and nutrients, your water lilies will flourish in your pond.

 

It is recommended to fertilise your plants once a month, but tropical water lilies, in particular, are heavy feeders and should be fertilized generously throughout the growing season to ensure their health and beauty.

If you have a fountain then position the lilly aware from the splash zone as the constant splashing from the water can bruise the leaves and cause the plant to ultimately die.

Tip: Water lilies thrive in still water. Avoid planting them directly in front of fountains, waterfalls or high-flow return outlets, as excessive water movement can reduce flowering and damage leaves.

Creating a Balanced Pond with Water Lilies and Other Plants

At We Know Water Gardens, our recommended planting formula is the 3-2-1 Rule:

3 oxygenating pond plants
2 marginal pond plants
1 flowering pond plant

per square metre of pond surface area. Use our pond plant calculator below.

 

Control Algae Growth.

Algae growth can be a common problem in ponds with water lilies, especially blanket weed or string algae. To control algae growth, it's important to maintain a proper balance of nutrients in the water.  Adding beneficial bacteria to the water can help to break down organic matter and reduce the amount of nutrients available for algae growth.

For the treatment of string and hair algae we recommend using the API Pond Algaefix as regular algaecide can harm and stunt the growth of your lilies. If you are having trouble with green pea sup looking water then, consider adding a UV clarifier to your pond filtration system, which uses ultraviolet light to kill algae and other harmful organisms in the water.

Propagating Water Lilies

 At the beginning of spring its best to divide your water lilies as they can become pot bound after a year in the pond .  It's relatively easy to do by dividing a mature plant. Simply follow these steps to successfully propagate your water lilies or lotus plants.

To remove a water lily from its container, first lift the container out of the water. Then, gently extract the plant from the container. The corm of the lily is very tough. If it is heavily overgrown then you may need to cut the old pot off. The corm with woody end, this can be thrown away as you'll only need the end with eyes (this is the term for where the leaves shoot from).

When propagating water lilies, it's important to use a sharp knife to cut sections from the tuber. Make sure each section has at least two to three eyes, which are the small bumps on the tuber where new growth will emerge.

For hardy water lilies, plant the rhizome at a 45-degree angle with the growing tip positioned toward the middle of the pot, resting slightly above the soil level. To finish, cover the soil with gravel or a thin layer of sand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best water lily for my pond?

The best water lily depends on the size of your pond and the look you want to create. Compact varieties such as Hermine, Bianco and Fabiola are ideal for small to medium ponds, while larger varieties like Attraction, Colorado, Darwin and Sioux make stunning feature plants in medium to large ponds.

How deep should I plant a hardy water lily?

Most hardy water lilies grow best when the crown is submerged 30–60 cm below the water surface. Larger varieties may also thrive at slightly greater depths once established. Always plant your water lily into an aquatic basket using quality aquatic potting mix.

Are your water lilies supplied as potted plants?

No. Our hardy water lilies are supplied as dormant corms only, not as established potted plants.

Dormant corms travel safely, establish quickly once planted and develop into healthy plants that will reward you with beautiful flowers for many years.

How long does it take a water lily corm to grow?

Growth depends on the time of year and water temperature. During the growing season, most corms will begin producing new leaves within a few weeks after planting. Flowering usually follows once the plant has become established and is receiving plenty of sunlight and nutrients.

Do hardy water lilies come back every year?

Yes. Hardy water lilies naturally become dormant during winter before producing fresh leaves and flowers again in spring. With the right care, they will continue to grow and flower for many years.

How much sunlight do water lilies need?

For the best flowering display, hardy water lilies should receive at least 4–6 hours of direct sunlight each day. More sunlight generally results in more flowers throughout the growing season.

Can I grow a water lily in a container pond?

Yes. Many hardy water lilies are perfect for container ponds, courtyard water features and smaller backyard ponds. Compact varieties such as Hermine, Bianco and Fabiola are particularly well suited to these smaller spaces.

Why isn't my water lily flowering?

Poor flowering is usually caused by one or more of the following:

• Not enough direct sunlight.
• The plant is growing too deep.
• It needs feeding with aquatic fertiliser tablets.
• The plant is still becoming established.
• Water temperatures are still too cool early in the season.

Once these conditions improve, healthy hardy water lilies usually flower prolifically from spring through to autumn.

Do water lilies help keep pond water clear?

Yes. Water lilies provide valuable shade across the pond surface, helping reduce sunlight that encourages algae growth. While they don't replace a pond filter or UV clarifier, they play an important role in creating a healthy, balanced pond ecosystem.

When is the best time to plant a water lily?

The best time to plant hardy water lily corms is from spring through early summer, when water temperatures are warming and plants are actively growing. However, dormant corms can also be planted at other times of the year and will begin growing as conditions become favourable.

How often should I fertilise my water lily?

Feed your water lilies with aquatic fertiliser tablets every 4–6 weeks during the growing season. Regular feeding encourages healthy foliage and abundant flowering from spring through to autumn.

Can I plant a water lily near a fountain or waterfall?

It's best to avoid planting water lilies directly beside a fountain, waterfall or other area of moving water.

Hardy water lilies prefer calm, still water, where their floating leaves and flowers can rest naturally on the surface. Constant splashing or strong water movement can push the leaves underwater, damage delicate flowers and make it difficult for the plant to establish and grow.

If your pond has a fountain or waterfall, position your water lily in the quietest part of the pond where it is protected from strong currents. This will encourage healthier growth, more floating leaves and a much better display of flowers throughout the growing season.

For the best results, combine good water circulation for overall pond health with a calm planting area where your water lily can thrive.

Which hardy water lily flowers the longest?

Most hardy water lilies flower continuously throughout the warmer months when grown in full sun and fed regularly. Reliable performers include Attraction, Colorado, Fabiola and Sioux, all known for their long flowering season and repeat blooms.

Are hardy water lilies suitable for Australian climates?

Yes. Hardy water lilies perform exceptionally well throughout much of Australia. They tolerate cooler winters by becoming dormant and return with fresh growth each spring, making them an excellent long-term choice for backyard ponds.

How many water lilies do I need?

In most ponds, a single hardy water lily can cover a significant area as it matures. Smaller ponds may only require one lily, while larger ponds often look best with several varieties planted throughout the pond. Be sure to allow enough space for each plant to spread naturally without overcrowding.

Whether you prefer the elegant white blooms of Hermine, the rich crimson flowers of Attraction, the soft pink beauty of Fabiola, the warm peach tones of Colorado, or the ever-changing colours of Sioux, our growing range of hardy water lily corms has a variety to suit every pond. Explore the collection and enjoy beautiful flowers for years to come.

 

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