Water lilies come in both hardy and tropical varieties. Grow these beautiful flowers in your pond by purchasing tubers or started water lilies or by starting them from seeds. If you decide to start your tropical water lilies or hardy water lilies by seed, find a mature adult water lily plant to harvest seeds from, and you will need a plastic bag, paper towels, garden soil, a small hand shovel, white sand, and several containers.
Water lilies are aquatic plants known for their beautiful, colorful flowers that gracefully float on the surface of ponds and water gardens. Their lush green leaves and vibrant blooms can transform any body of water into an inviting oasis. While water lilies are often grown from tubers, you can also propagate these aquatic beauties yourself from seeds.
Growing water lilies from seeds allows you to gain an amazing diversity of forms, colors, and varieties. It’s also often less expensive than purchasing mature plants. With the right process, patience, and care, you can add unique new water lilies grown from seed to enhance your own aquatic landscapes.
Gathering Viable Water Lily Seeds
The first critical step is acquiring fresh, viable water lily seeds to plant. If you already have established water lily plants, you can easily harvest seeds from them in late summer or early fall after the flowers fade.
Simply allow the seed pod capsules to mature and split open on their own You’ll then be able to gather the released seeds directly from the water Collect these regularly before they sink or are eaten by wildlife.
You can also purchase packaged water lily seeds from reputable online nurseries, garden centers, or specialty water plant retailers. Opt for named cultivars over generic mixed seed packets for more predictable flower forms, colors, and plant sizes.
Store collected or purchased seeds in water in the refrigerator if not planting right away Change the water every few days to prevent rot and fungal issues
Choosing the Right Container
You’ll need to start water lily seeds in a watertight container that can accommodate growth over time. A plastic nursery tray shallow tub, or half whiskey barrel works well. Provide at least 6 inches of depth initially, increasing to 10-12 inches as plants grow.
For hardy water lily varieties, use an outdoor container placed at ground level in the pond or water garden. Tropical seeds need warm indoor conditions at first, so choose a container that can be moved between greenhouses, sunrooms, etc.
Planting Technique
Fill your seed starting container about halfway with a lightweight aquatic planting mix formulated for pond plants. Top with 1-2 inches of sand or fine aquarium gravel to cover the soil surface.
Gently press each seed just below the gravel topping, spacing about 2 inches apart. Use your finger or a blunt pencil point to push seeds into the substrate without damaging them. Cover any remaining exposed seeds lightly with a bit more gravel.
Slowly pour distilled water into the container until it just covers the gravel surface. For hardy lily seeds, use cool 55°F water. Tropical varieties need warm 70-80°F water for fast germination. Keep seeds submerged at all times in their optimal temperature water.
Caring for Water Lily Seedlings
Keep seeds and seedlings submerged in 1-2 inches of clean water as they sprout and grow. Top off with fresh water often to prevent fungal issues. Give them very bright, indirect light and consistent proper temperatures.
Thin overcrowded sprouts when the second set of leaves appears. Transplant each seedling into an individual small pot when 3-4 leaves have developed. Gradually increase water depth as plants grow larger over time.
Acclimating & Transplanting Outdoors
Once night temperatures are reliably above 55°F outdoors, begin transitioning hardened off hardy water lily plants to the garden pond or water feature. Select a site with rich organic soil or compost on the bottom and at least 6 hours of direct sun.
If the pond is over 15 inches deep, transplant water lilies into containers like bushel baskets to keep their crowns closer to the surface. Fill with aquatic soil and 1 inch of gravel topping. Lower filled containers into desired spots, keeping plant crowns 4-6 inches below water.
Increase water depth over time by raising pots on cinder blocks. Tropical varieties will need to overwinter indoors in warm greenhouses with sufficient humidity and light.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
Water lilies thrive best with 6 or more hours of direct sunlight daily. Give tropical varieties minimum night temperatures of 70°F. Fertilize monthly with aquatic plant food during the active growing season.
Deadhead spent blooms and remove yellowing leaves regularly to encourage lush growth. Divide congested root masses every 2-3 years in early spring. Shelter hardy lilies by lowering pots deeper in winter.
Starting water lilies from seeds requires warm temperatures, extreme moisture, and time. But following these tips carefully allows you to gain amazing diversity and vibrancy. With proper germination and growth, you can enjoy uniquely personalized water lilies from seed in your own aquatic gardens.
Step 2 – Prepare Seeds for Planting
If you are working with tropical water lilies, place your seeds into a paper towel and allow them to dry in your refrigerator. You will keep your seeds in the fridge until you are ready to plant them.
If you are working with hardy water lilies, leave your seeds in water until you are ready to plant them.
Step 1 – Collect Seeds from Water Lilies
Water lilies disperse their seeds in pods. If you are interested in collecting seeds, you must wait until these pods mature. Then place a plastic baggie over the seed pod and loosely secure it to the stem with a twist tie. Allow water to fill the baggie and let the seed pod sink under the surface of the water.
Wait until the seed pod ripens and explodes. When this happens, remove the baggie with the seed pod and seeds from your pond.
Pour out the contents of your baggie into a tub of warm water. You will need to let the seeds ripen further before removing them from the tub. You will know when the seeds are ripe when the floral streamers rot away. The seeds will sink to the bottom of your tub.
Remove the seeds from the tub and divide them into viable and non-viable seeds. The viable seeds will be large and dark, the non-viable seeds will be smaller and light-colored.
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FAQ
How to plant lotus water lily seeds?
Drop your seeds into warm water in a clear container and set them on a sunny windowsill to germinate. Keeping the water warm and clean will ensure a quick sprout. Change the water if cloudy to prevent bacteria growth. You should see sprouting in a week, roughly.
What is the difference between a water lily seed and a lotus seed?
Lily leaves rest on the water, while lotus leaves are always growing up over the water. The seeds of these two plants are also quite different, starting with where they grow. Water lily seeds ripen underwater, while a lotus plant’s seeds ripen above the surface, according to Treehugger(Opens in a new window).