How deep should you plant a water lily?

A water lily is the crown jewel of any pond.

Actually, no pond is complete without these beautiful and eye-catching flowers. A common question when planting a water lily is how deep it should be planted.

At what depth should you plant a water lily?

There are various types of water lilies. Most varieties are best suited for a larger pond or water feature. A depth of 80–100 cm is ideal for many water lilies. At this depth, the water lily survives every winter without any problems.

However, there are also water lilies that require shallower water. These are water lilies that can be planted in a smaller pond. A water depth of 50–60 cm is sufficient for these species. At this depth, water lilies are more susceptible to harsh winters.

For the dwarf varieties, even a depth of 30–40 cm is sufficient. This means these water lilies can even be grown in a mini-pond. Unfortunately, in most cases, it won’t be possible to get these water lilies through the winter at that water depth.

Don't plant the water lily too deep right away

When planting a new or young water lily, don’t place it too deep right away. By gradually working your way down to the final depth—in two steps, for example—the water lily will produce new leaves more quickly (since it will already be getting more sunlight). Once the first new leaves have appeared, you can move the water lily to the deeper part of the pond. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy a beautiful (larger) water lily sooner.