How to Separate Lily Pad Roots

A lily pad is the floating foliage of the water lily plant. Water lily roots are called rhizomes and spread rapidly underwater wherever they can adhere to mud. Water lily pads provide shelter for aquatic life as well as shade to prevent algae growth. However, excessive water lily growth can deplete the nutrients in the ecosystem. You can separate lily pad roots to thin plant growth and prevent the plants from overwhelming your pond.

Garden shovel
Water hose
Sharp knife

Instructions

- 1
  Insert your shovel into the mud in a circular motion around the water lily plant. This will help loosen the roots.
- 2
  Reach down into the mud to find the hard, tubular water lily rhizome. Pull the plant out of the water.
- 3
  Wash the water lily roots with a garden hose. Pull off any soft root parts and damaged pads.
- 4
  Cut the root down to 3 inches of rhizome, discarding excess roots. Retain the root parts that contain the best growth. Replace the roots you are keeping into the water and mud at a 45 degree angle.

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