Healthy or Stressed — It Makes a World of Difference

Published on April 30, 2019

>> Also see the main feature,  “Waterlily Pests and Diseases: A Ten-Year Update.”

Healthy waterlilies are very tough plants. They withstand rains, winds, droughts, hail storms, and neighborhood kids with sticks. And more importantly, pests usually ignore them. Thriving lilies grow fast and bloom well, with plenty of leaves and regular blooms. There are enough lily pads so that an occasional pest nibble can be trimmed away without making a dent in the appearance or health of the plant. 

A healthy waterlily has good soil (not potting soil) in a suitably large container — 2 ½ gal or more. Lilies are hungry feeders and should be fertilized at least every growing season. A controlled-release fertilizer with micronutrients is ideal. Most lilies (especially tropicals) benefit from repotting every other year. The type of waterlily and the climate zone obviously affect how fast it grows, how large it gets, how much food it needs and how often it should be repotted or divided. 

Atlantic Oase Reward Program
Nymphaeas are strong growers, so a lily quickly fills the container it came in. Any root-bound plant stuck in an overly-small container will be stressed. The lily won’t have enough room, food or nutrition. It becomes a prime target for pests and diseases. Weak, new leaves attract aphids, thrips and other dangers. A sickly plant grows slowly, so any pest damage greatly weakens its overall strength. And to add insult to injury, the lily’s ability to bloom is also greatly reduced.

The bottom line is that healthy waterlilies are more attractive, have larger and more frequent blooms and are less likely to be attacked by pests or diseases.

Koi Pharma Worry Free Pond Season Starts Here

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More Articles

May / June 2025

Turning the Page, Diving In It is with great pride and excitement that ...

A Heartfelt Thank You from the POND Trade Community

From all of us in the POND Trade Community, we thank you for ...

The Two Most Important Days in a Business Owner’s Journey

When asked about the most important day in a business owner’s journey, the ...

2025 Water Garden Expo Round Up

A celebration of education, innovation, and industry legacy The 2025 Water Garden Expo ...

Contractor's Corner

Sponsored by Pondliner

Scroll to Top