Water Lily

Water Lilies like full sun, at least six hours a day, and calm water.  Most gardeners use plastic tubs or baskets for growing.  Heavy garden soil, or clay is the best soil for growing.  Remove dead foliage and spent flowers.  Fertilize the container once a month.  Water Lilies should be divided every two or three years.  Spring is the best time for splitting.

Winter Care: 

If your pond does not freeze solid you can leave your hardy water lilies out all winter.  If your pond is shallow you need to winter over your hardies by lifting the container out of the pond and storing them in a cold place like a garage.  Put containers in plastic bags.  Make sure that they do not dry out completely.

Tropical Lilies

Winter Care:

Lift each container, remove the rhizome, rinse it and allow it to air-dry for a couple of days.  Brush off any remaining dirt and remove excess roots; store the rhizome in a container of distilled water in a cool but frost-free place.

In early spring, pot up the rhizome and place in a sunny window to start growth.  When pond reaches 70 ° water temperatures return to pond.

Lotus

Winter Care:

If your pond will freeze in the winter, you need to lift your Lotus container and store it in a plastic bag in a cool, frost-free place. (Ideally @ 55°)