What Do Lily Pads Need to Survive?

Provide lily pads with a pool of still, clean water in which to grow. Make sure the water is at least 20 to 40 inches deep, at a temperature above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid turbulent water such as a fountain, which will disturb their soil and may dampen blooming.

Plant lily pads where they will receive a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight each day, since they rely on very strong sunlight to efficiently photosynthesize. Avoid planting lily pads in heavily shaded areas since they will not grow or bloom normally with so little light.

Feed lily pads generously every six weeks from April until September. Place one slow-release fertilizer spike into the soil at the base of each plant. Use fertilizers specifically formulated for lily pads; these contain an algae inhibitor that will keep the water clear and free from sediment.

Protect your lily pads in winter by cutting back their foliage just before the first frost. Cut off all the foliage at its point of origin, which is underwater near the surface of the soil. Move the pots to the deepest point in the lily pad pond; the deeper water will help insulate the plants and protect them from the cold.

Repot your lily pads every few years to provide them with ample room to spread. Cut the rhizomes from each pot into 2-inch segments. Pot each segment in its own 12-inch planting container. Position the containers 12 to 18 inches apart across the bottom of the pond.