Dividing & Repotting an Overgrown Water Lily

A large water lily stands upright out of the water—center leaves and flowers rise above the surface. The owner asks if it can be divided and moved.

Why Lilies Grow Upward

When a lily's rhizome fills its pot (root-bound) or the plant crowds the surface, it pushes leaves and flowers upward. This signals it's time to repot and divide.

How to Divide & Repot

1. Remove the pot and wash soil off the rhizome.
2. Identify growing tips: Each fan of leaves with a healthy root section can become a new plant.
3. Cut with a clean knife between fans, keeping roots on each division.
4. Repot in 2–7 gallon containers (5-gallon ideal) using heavy clay loam, topped with pea gravel.
5. Add fertilizer tablets (1 per gallon of soil) pushed into soil away from roots.
6. Place at proper depth: 12–24 inches over crown for hardy lilies.

Aftercare

Expect some leaf die-back initially. New growth appears in weeks; flowers may take months. Divide every 2–3 years to maintain vigor.

Links: Repotting Guide | Lily Care