Planting Aquatic Plants
Use damp, average garden soil for planting aquatic plants. Fill the container about two-thirds full of soil.
Hardy Water Lilies: For hardy water lilies, the rhizome should be placed to the side of the pot, and faced at an angle to grow toward the center of the pot. Look for buds, or "eyes", to determine which end is the growing point. After the rhizome is in place, cover it with soil so that the growing point is just slightly above soil level.
Tropical Water Lilies: Plant tropical water lilies in the center of the pot with the growing point slightly above the soil level.
Lotus: Plant Lotus at the center of the pot. Lotus rhizomes are very brittle so handle them carefully during the planting process. Plant Lotus rhizomes in large containers covering them with about 2-4 inches of soil with the growing tips above the soil level.
Emergent and Submerged Plants: Potting emergent and submerged plants is similar to planting other aquatics. Place some soil in the pot. Center the plant and add soil to cover the roots. Or, you can fill the container with very wet soil and then gently press the roots into the soil.
Once planted, the soil should be covered with a 1/2 inch layer of pea gravel, or some type of small stone. This will help prevent soil from escaping and clouding up the water, and discourage fish from digging.
After planting, water thoroughly and then slowly lower the containers into the pond at the proper depth.
Placing Plants in the Pond
Hardy Water Lilies: Submerge hardy water lilies to a depth where 12-18 inches of water will be above the top of the pot. If the pond is in full sun, the minimum amount of water over the top of the pot should be from 6-8 inches for the plant to grow well. If the pond receives less than 6 hours of sun a day, then 6 inches of water above the top of the pot is sufficient for the plant to get the sunlight it needs.
Tropical Water Lilies: Submerge tropical water lilies to a deth of 6 to 12". They grow best at 12".
Lotus Grow lotus in the pond with 4-6 inches of water over the top of the pot.
Emergent Plants: Most emergent water plants can be grown with the top edge of the pot at water surface level, or with 2-4 inches of water over the top of them.
Bricks and inverted pots work well to adjust the height of planted pots in the pond.
Timing the Placement of Plants in the Pond
Hardy water lilies, lotus and emergent plants are tolerant of cooler water temperatures and can be placed in the pond when temperatures reach about 50 degrees F. Tropical water lilies and some of the floaters cannot tolerate cold temperatures so should be placed in the pond when temperatures are above 70 degrees F.
