Many people can admire water lilies blooming in ponds and assume that a large body of water is required for their growth. However, these flowers can be successfully cultivated at home, even if you only have a sunny terrace, balcony, or corner in the garden.
The gardener and gardening content creator Deepu, based in Ananthapur and sharing gardening tips on Instagram under the handle @gardening.with.deepu, uses a simple pot-in-pot planting method to grow water lilies. To start, he only needs two pots, potting soil, compost, and a sunny spot.
Below is a step-by-step guide to the process.
How to implement the process
- Start with two pots
Take a plant pot measuring 10 to 12 inches with drainage holes. You will also need a larger container, bucket, or basin with a diameter of 16 to 20 inches that has no holes. The smaller pot will contain the water lily and soil, and the larger one will hold the water around it.
- Prepare the soil
Fill the smaller pot about three-quarters full with a mixture consisting of 70 percent potting soil and 30 percent compost. It is important that the mixture is sufficiently heavy. The gardener advises avoiding coconut fiber and other light soil mixtures, as they may float after placing the pot in water.
- Plant the rhizome
Place the water lily rhizome in the soil at a slight angle, directing the growing tip upwards. Gently cover it with soil, leaving the growing tip in such a position that it can produce new growth.
- Cover the soil
After the rhizome is established, apply a thin layer of sand or small stones over the soil. This will prevent the soil from floating when you start filling the outer container with water.
- Add water
Now place the smaller pot inside the larger container. Slowly pour water into the outer container until the water level is about five to ten centimeters above the soil level. As the water lily grows, the depth can gradually be increased to 20-30 cm.
- Let the sun do its work
Find a spot where the water lily receives about six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. This is especially critical if you are waiting for flowers to appear. The more suitable light the plant receives, the higher its chances of flowering.
- Ensure regular care
As the plant grows, periodically remove old leaves and maintain a constant water level. Compost can be added to the pot monthly. Deepu suggests wrapping the compost in a piece of fabric before adding it so that it remains localized and does not spread through the water.
Advantages of using the two-pot system
The pot-in-pot planting method allows the soil and water to remain separated, providing the water lily with the necessary conditions for development. Furthermore, it simplifies tasks such as changing water, adding compost, or removing the plant for repotting or division. Thus, to enjoy a water lily at home, you do not necessarily need a pond; a pair of pots and a sunny spot can be enough to start.