Planting Water Lily Tubers from Amazon: My Experience

Ordering and planting water lily rhizomes (or tubers) off Amazon, or anywhere online, is tough because it’s not like you can return them months later if you got a dud. Luckily, my water lily experience was a positive one, so I’m sharing where I ordered mine, and how I planted it.

Ordering Water Lilies on Amazon

When you order a live water lily on Amazon, what you’ll be sent is a live rhizome, also called a tuber. It’s a brown oblong lump, and it comes with instructions on how to place it in the growing medium so the right end is sticking up.

I ordered mine from AquaLeaf Aquatics and had a very good experience. Click here to see the exact water lily I purchased. (I got a pink one, but available colors may vary). It arrived alive and well packaged.

You’ll also need to have a growing medium ready, and something to plant it in. I used Aquascape pond plant potting media, and it seems to have done a good job!

Planting Water Lilies in Your Pond

1. Choose the Right Container

Use a wide, shallow container with no drainage holes. A depth of 10 to 12 inches and a width of at least 14 to 18 inches is ideal for a hardy water lily. I used a heavy ceramic planter that I knew wouldn’t budge once I sank it.

2. Add Aquatic Plant Soil

Use a heavy, loamy aquatic soil—not potting mix, which can float or cloud the water. Fill the container about two-thirds full. I was still concerned about the soil floating or being washed away, so I added a few rocks on top.

3. Position the Tuber

Place the water lily tuber at a 45-degree angle with the growing tip (the “eye”) pointing up and slightly above the soil line. Don’t bury the crown—this can cause rot.

4. Secure the Tuber

Gently press soil around the base to stabilize it, leaving the growing tip exposed. Optionally, you can add a layer of pea gravel or rocks to keep soil in place and discourage fish from digging.

Just make sure your tuber is no covered so it can grow freely.

5. Submerge the Pot

Carefully place the container in your pond or water garden. Start with shallow water (6–12 inches deep) until the leaves reach the surface, then move it deeper (12–24 inches) as the plant grows if you want it in a different spot.

6. Provide Sunlight

Water lilies need at least 5–6 hours of direct sun daily to thrive and bloom well.

My Water Lily Planting Experience

I planted my water lily tuber in November, knowing it might take some time to establish. Living in Florida, my pond gets plenty of sunlight, and within just a few weeks, I noticed small green shoots emerging from the tuber.

The growth was gradual but consistent, with new leaves reaching the surface over the following months. It produced an impressive amount of leaves, which is great because one main reason I wanted to plant it (besides it being pretty) was to give my fish more places to hide from predators.

We have a lot of owls in Atlantic Beach, and they sometimes like to take baths in my fish pond and find themselves a snack!

Then, just a few weeks ago, I noticed a different kind of stem popping up. Finally, I got a flower! And it was just as pretty as the picture on Amazon.

What Are Water Lilies?

Water lilies (Nymphaea species) are aquatic flowering plants known for their round, floating leaves and vibrant, often fragrant blooms.

They come in two main types: hardy and tropical. Hardy water lilies survive cold winters and bloom during the warmer months, while tropical varieties thrive in consistently warm climates and often have more dramatic flowers and even night-blooming species. The water lily I got on Amazon is the hardy variety.

These plants grow from thick tubers rooted in soil at the bottom of ponds or containers. From there, they send up long stems topped with leaves (pads) and, when mature, striking flowers that float at the surface.

One unique thing I didn’t know before growing them is that they only blook when the sun is shining. In the morning and evening they will be closed up.

Benefits of Water Lilies for Your Pond

1. Natural Shade and Algae Control
Water lily leaves provide shade across the pond’s surface, which helps limit the growth of algae by reducing sunlight penetration. Less sunlight = fewer algae blooms. Plus, my plecostomus enjoys eating the algae off the stems.

2. Temperature Regulation
By shading the water, lilies help keep temperatures cooler during hot summer months, creating a more stable and comfortable environment for fish and beneficial aquatic life.

3. Shelter for Wildlife
The pads give fish and frogs a safe place to hide from predators and cool off from direct sun. This also helps reduce stress among your pond’s inhabitants. This is my main reason for planting the lily!

4. Oxygenation Support
While water lilies themselves are not major oxygen producers, their presence contributes to a healthy ecosystem. By limiting algae growth and stabilizing temperatures, they indirectly help maintain oxygen levels.

5. Aesthetic Appeal
Let’s not forget—they’re stunning! Water lilies transform a pond into a vibrant, tranquil space with their large green leaves and beautiful flowers.

Beautiful and Beneficial

Planting water lilies can be a rewarding experience, enhancing the beauty and health of your pond. From my own successful journey with the hardy water lily from AquaLeaf Aquatics, I’ve discovered the joy of watching these stunning plants thrive and provide essential benefits to my aquatic ecosystem. Not only do they offer shade and shelter for fish and other wildlife, but they also contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal of my pond.

As you embark on your own water lily planting adventure, remember to choose the right conditions and follow the recommended steps for planting. With patience and care, you’ll be rewarded with vibrant blooms and a thriving aquatic environment that enhances the charm of your outdoor space.

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