Overwintering Hardy Water Lilies and Lotuses

Keep Tub‑Grown Aquatic Plants Alive Through Winter

Many water plants survive winter in a pond, but plants in raised tubs, pools, or vessels won’t make it if you have prolonged freezing temperatures. This technique works only for hardy water lilies and lotuses—plants that naturally go dormant. Tropical water lilies are treated as annuals.

Storage Requirements

You need a space that stays 30–50°F. Light isn’t needed (plants are dormant). An unheated basement is ideal; garages or sheds may work.

Step‑by‑Step

1. After fall temperatures drop, find a bucket/tub large enough to hold the plant’s pot.
2. Remove the plant (pot and all) from your outdoor garden.
3. Trim off all dead and dying foliage.
4. Move to the winter storage location.
5. Fill the bucket with water, covering the soil surface by 2–6 inches.

Winter Care

Check water level occasionally; ensure it still covers the soil by a few inches. In spring, when weather warms, return the lily or lotus to its summer home.

This simple method preserves your investment and gives you a head start on next year’s blooms.