Transplanting Hardy Water Lilies

Factual Commentaries

Is Dividing Okay Or Is A Bigger Container Better?

Rounded Rectangular Callout: In this picture I have cut half of the soil to make it easier to re-plant the lily. Since most water plant containers are shallow this makes it easier to put fresh soil in the bottom of the new container. And since lilies grow across the container it shouldn’t hurt the rhizome, since your just cutting some of the roots. All hardy lilies produce new roots every growing season.

Rectangular Callout: It is easier to cut the pot and remove the lily

Rounded Rectangular Callout: Here I prepared a 5 gallon pot with 3 inches of fresh dirt at the bottom. I spread out fertilizers tabs around the new container. Then I placed the plant into the pot and made sure that the level was correct so the crown of the rhizome will not be buried. I then added more soil to fill in the gaps between the pot and the plant. This method will work for several times as long as you can find a larger pot that will accommodate the plant each time the pot has to twice larger than the previous container. This way you will never lose a bushy plant with lots of blooms.

Rounded Rectangular Callout: After removing the plant from the original container and cutting away half of the soil, I used the garden hose to wash off the excess soil. You don’t need to remove all the soil, just enough to give the new roots a chance to get started. The idea being the more fresh soil you use the better for the plant.