How to Pot Plants in a Water Garden

Underwater Dwellers

• 1

  Fill gallon-sized fabric pots one-fourth full with pea gravel. Set the plant in the center of the pot, making sure the foliage rests above the top of the pot.

• 2

  Sprinkle additional pea gravel around the plant to hold it in place.Continue adding pea gravel until the pot is at least three-fourths full.

• 3

  Sink the pot to the bottom of the pond. Underwater plants require submergence of at least 12 inches in most water gardens.

Marginal Plants

• 4

  Fill 10-inch fabric pots with organic potting soil. Plant marginal plants, or those that prefer to grow in shallow water, in the center of each pot.

• 5

  Submerge marginal plant pots two to three inches deep. Set the pots on bricks or a cinder block to raise them to a height just below the water's surface.

• 6

  Feed the marginals an aquatic fertilizer according to label instructions. Most marginal plants appreciate fertilizing every six to eight weeks.

Lotus and Hardy Water Lilies

• 7

  Fill 14 to 16-inch fabric pots three-fourths full with organic soil. Plant one lotus or lily plant in the center of each pot. Make sure the foliage of each plant rests above the rim of the pot.

• 8

  Line the top of the soil with a one-fourth inch of pea gravel. Submerge 12 to 18 inches deep.

• 9

  Fertilize lotus and lilies using an aquatic fertilizer, per label instructions. Most lilies prefer fertilizing every four to six weeks; lotus, once a month.