How to Garden Water Lilies

Select pots based on your pond depth. The water should rise at least 6 inches above the top layer of soil. Purchase one pot per plant, as the water lilies will grow better with individual pots. Select either fabric pots or hard plastic gardening containers without holes.

Fill the pot one-third full with heavy clay loam. Add in aquatic plant plant fertilizer, available at garden centers and some hardware stores. Follow the directions on the package for applying the fertilizer. Continue to fertilize the water lily according to the directions throughout the growing season.

Add in more soil, leaving a 2-inch gap between the soil and the top of the container.

Put a tropical water lily plant at the center of the pot. Position a hardy water lily plant at one side of the pot and point it diagonally toward the container's center. Skip this step if you have a tuber, not a full water lily plant.

Pile sand on the loam and around the water lily until it is level with the top of the container. The sand helps weigh down the loam and keeps it from discoloring your pond. If you have a tuber, plant it in the sand just under the surface.

Cover the surface with broken slate pieces if your pond includes fish. This helps protect the plant from fish feeding on it.

Submerge the water lily in the pond until it rests on the bottom or on a rock shelf. Position the plant where it will receive at least five hours of direct sunlight each day.

Remove yellow and brown leaves from the water lily to maintain its appearance. Prune the outer ring of leaves if the water lily spreads too much in the pond.

Spray the water lily gently with a hose if aphids -- insects that eat and infest plants -- appear. Pick off other pests, such as caterpillars, by hand.