How to grow water lilies indoors (2023)

FAQs

How to grow water lilies indoors? ›

Plant water lilies in a pot; water gently to dislodge air pockets, and submerge the pot in a larger container, or plant directly in the container itself. Tropicals should be planted in the center of the pot in 4-5 inches of the closest approximation of heavy loam soil you can get.

The basic requirements for successfully growing water lilies indoors are to provide carefully controlled water temperature and quality, and an exceptional amount of light. Few plants are more finicky about indoor conditions than water lilies, which is why indoor growing is usually pursued only by devoted enthusiasts.

The water should be kept warm at all times, even with the hardy water lilies. Tropical plants need water temperatures of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit to thrive. If the water drops to 60 degrees F or lower, the plant won't survive. Hardy water lilies are best kept at 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

Water lilies require sunlight for their growth. While they may withstand shade for some time period, they still need sunlight for at least 3 hours every day. Moving water is detrimental to the growth of the plantation and you should be careful to plant them away from any pumps or recreational areas.

Press the seeds gently into the soil using your finger. Water lily seeds need warm soil to germinate so place the pot in a warm, sunny spot and fill it up to the top with water. It can take the seeds three to four weeks to germinate depending on the variety and the weather conditions.

Water lilies can also be grown in large bowls, or urn-shaped pots 60cm or more deep that have been water-proofed. These add a touch of glamour to a courtyard or outdoor living area. Make sure they get plenty of direct sunlight daily and top up the water regularly.

Your water lily (or lotus) bare root tubers will do best in good quality soil, though they will grow in pure sand or gravel. Some garden centers sell water plant potting mix. Gravel at the bottom of your pot will help sink the planting container and one-inch gravel at the top will keep foraging koi out.

Indoors, place a potted Easter lily where it can get plenty of bright light. Keep the soil consistently moist. Flowering should continue for up to two weeks, depending on the temperature in your home. To prolong the plant's blooming period, avoid placing it in hot spots, such as near radiators or heating vents.

Many people consider three to five years an average peace lily lifespan. However, indoor peace lilies have been known to live two decades or more. Late winter or early spring is the best time to repot and propagate peace lilies.

Watering Lilies in Pots

Lilies prefer moist, well-draining soil, but they do not tolerate standing water. A good rule of thumb is to water your lilies every 3 days, or when the top inch of soil feels dry. Be sure not to let the soil become overly saturated, as this can lead to bulb rot or other problems.

How deep should the water be for a water lily? ›

Water lilies can be submerged 6-18 inches deep. It is best to lower the container gradually in the water as the water lily begins to grow, something easily accomplished by raising the container on bricks and gradually removing the bricks over time.

Unlike “regular” plants that go in the ground, water lilies should NOT be planted in garden potting mixes that are primarily peat moss. Instead, use a commercial aquatic potting mix or a soilless potting medium such as Profile. You can also use soil from the garden, so long as it is heavy and high in clay content.

In a nice sunny place without direct sunlight, lilies in pots can also thrive indoors and enchant the room with their lovely fragrance. However, as a houseplant, lilies savour the human need for care a little more than when outside in the garden.

In frost-free regions, water lilies bloom year-round. But you have to be lucky to catch a bloom, as each individual flower lasts for about four days before sinking under the water to decompose. The beauty is short-lived, but that makes it even more special.

Any deep, spacious, water-tight pot will hold miniature water lilies. Water lily pots have to be large and spacious, so start by choosing a container that's at least 15-18 inches deep and 24-40 inches wide. This will give you enough space for your lilies. Pots must be watertight.

Manure: Horse, cow and sheep manure are all ideal but avoid poultry manure. Soil: This should be general garden soil not potting mix because the soil will turn into a nice muddy consistency, which is what water lilies need. Coarse sand: A mix without clay particles.

Loam or clay soil is best for filling the water lily's pot before it is lowered into the water. Don't use a lightweight soil mix.

Water lilies spread across the water's surface, filling it with color and vibrancy all the while keeping the pond and the creatures in it safe and healthy.

Growth and reproduction

After fertilization, the flower stalks curls like a corkscrew, the drawing the flower underwater. The seeds float back up to the surface and are spread through water movement.

Where is the best place to put a lily plant indoors? ›

Bright, indirect light is best for peace lilies, ideally sheltered from cold draughts, so choose a spot away from doors and fire places. peace lilies are used to a tropical environment so a humid room, such as a bathroom, is best.

Failure to water regularly—and to water thoroughly—most often causes peace lily drooping and browning leaf tips. To avoid underwatering, pour water into the top of the pot, wait for it to penetrate the soil, and watch for the excess to drain out of the bottom of the pot.

Lilies grow well in containers, where they can be positioned for maximum effect in the garden. It's a great way to grow these stunning plants, especially if you can't grow them in your garden.

Unlike many houseplants that we inevitably end up killing, peace lilies like growing indoors. They don't need direct sun, preferring bright, indirect light from a nearby window. They'll grow just fine across the room from a window but won't bloom well in such low light and may also become leggy.

Lilies are perennial and will return each year in suitable growing conditions.

Circadian rhythms are the one of the main causes of a Peace Lily not flowering. Your Peace Lily should bloom in the middle of Spring, which will usually be during April, and this can follow through to the middle of Autumn.

For the best flowering, fertilize your plants once a month during the growing season. Press aquatic fertilizer tablets into the soil of each container.

Like all potted plants, water lilies need repotting from time to time. Find out how to do it, in our How-to guide. Spring is the ideal time to repot fleshy water lilies into slightly larger pots, helping them to grow better.

Waterlilies and tuberous plants, such as Acorus, can be propagated from root-bud cuttings from the rhizome. They may produce tiny, new growing points on the roots where shoots emerge. Cut off a 7.5cm (3in) piece of the root behind the growing point. Pot up and grow on.

Do water lilies clean water? ›

Water lilies (Nymphaea spp.) and water poppies (Hydrocleys nymphoides) help to purify the water by absorbing nutrients.

For example, water lilies are often associated with birth and resurrection because of their striking ability to emerge from the water. Because of their often white petals, you'll also find them symbolising purity and majesty. But the most interesting thing the water lily symbolises is enlightenment.

Most water lilies typically need a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight in order to produce their spectacular blooms. However, some will flower in part shade with between 4-6 hours of sunlight daily. None grow in deep shade with less than 3 hours of sunlight each day.

Rinse off the soil, and trim away root growth and old foliage. Identify the crowns, or the little buds where a new lily pad group will sprout, and cut between them with a sharp knife. Keep the pieces 3 to 4 inches in length. Each one of these will become a new water lily plant.

We recommend repotting your Hardy water lily at least every two years. The best time to repot and divide if necessary is at the end of winter while your water lily is still dormant. We have everything you need for success including baskets, potting mix, pea gravel, fertiliser and complete potting kits.

Plant peace lilies in Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix for great results. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. A month after planting, feed plants with Miracle-Gro® Indoor Plant Food. Repot when the plant's roots have completely outgrown its container.

After your lilies have flowered, you need to….

Cut the flower heads off your lilies (as you've done), allow the foliage to die back naturally. Do not be tempted to cut the stem back until stems become hollow and brown. This will then feed the bulb for next year's flowering.

Store it inside: Transport your water lily indoors for the winter and store it in a cool basement or heated garage, keeping the temperature at about 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Bring in the whole pot and place it in a plastic bag or box. Check it periodically to make sure the soil remains moist.

Once planted, taking care of water lilies is easy. In fact, most require no care at all other than dividing them every three or four years to rejuvenate them and to keep them from spreading into unwanted areas.

The rapid growth of a Water lily is dangerous because excess growth will cover the surface, causing a reduce in light penetration into the body of water. Thick growths of Water lilies interfere with oxygen exchange and one of the worst-case scenarios it can lead to being a source of flooding.

What is the rarest water lily in the world? ›

The plant, called Nymphaea thermarum in Latin, isn't just tiny; it is also one of the rarest plants in the world.

Health Benefits

The nutrient content of popped water lily seeds definitely sets them apart from your average snack. They contain free-radical fighting antioxidants, minerals that come from the beautiful aquatic Eurale Fox plant and kaempferol, a flavonoid that has both anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties.

Water lilies should be grown in water depth of at least 45cm and will grown in water up to 1.8m deep.

Water lilies have a number of adaptations that help them survive in water, including big leaves that float on the water's surface to attract ample sunlight for photosynthesis. The top side of the leaf is covered with a cuticle to keep it as dry as possible, and the underside has thorns to protect against predators.

A couple things to keep in mind though; water lilies do not like moving water or water from a fountain or waterfall splashing on their leaves.

Some of the main reasons your pond plants may be turning yellow or dying are insufficient sunlight, algae overgrowth, low dissolved oxygen level, planting at the wrong depth and choosing plants that aren't suited to your climate.

Water lilies prefer their pots to be wide rather than deep to accommodate maximum growth. Containers specifically designed for water lilies are generally 12-20 inches in diameter and 8-10 inches deep, as the size of the pot can have an influence on the size of the water lily.

When it comes to potted lilies, the watering frequency will depend on the size of the pot and the soil conditions. Watering potted lilies every 2 to 3 days or when the top inch of soil feels dry is typically sufficient, but be sure to monitor the plant and adjust the watering frequency as needed.

Are water lilies poisonous to touch? ›

All water lilies are poisonous and contain an alkaloid called nupharin in almost all of their parts, with the exception of the seeds and in some species, the tubers.

Waterlilies prefer calm, still water, away from fountains, pumps, cascades or other turbulence. Plant in full sun to promote flowering. They are best planted in aquatic compost, or heavy clay-based loam, in an aquatic basket.