Dividing & Repotting Root-Bound Water Lilies

Lilies Must Be Planted

Floating root balls don't work — crown rots, no flower stems reach surface.

Division Protocol

1. Late spring/early summer (active growth).
2. Remove pot, wash soil off roots.
3. Identify growing tips (firm, white, pointed) on rhizome.
4. Cut rhizome into sections: each with 1+ tip + healthy roots.
5. Discard old, mushy, leafless sections.
6. Plant each in wide shallow pot (12–18" diameter) with aquatic media.
7. Crown at media surface — do not bury.
8. Top with 1" pea gravel.
9. Lower to 6–12" depth initially; deepen as leaves reach surface.

Feeding for Blooms

Monthly aquatic fertilizer tabs (push deep) April–Sept. Lilies are heavy feeders.

One Mature Lily = 3–5 New Plants

Share or expand your display. Discard excess — don't overcrowd.