Turn your pond into a picturesque Monet-inspired masterpiece with this popular aquatic plant. Its elegant bowl-shaped blooms appear in summer, while its distinctive circular lily pads spread across the waters surface, providing valuable shelter for aquatic wildlife.
Should Water Lilies Be Cut Back? A Seasonal Guide for Proper Pruning
Water lilies are a classic pond plant known for their large, rounded leaves and beautiful flowers that bloom throughout the summer. While relatively low maintenance, water lilies do require some pruning and care during the growing season to stay healthy and encourage new growth and blooms. So when should you cut back water lily leaves and how much? Read on for a complete seasonal guide to proper water lily pruning.
Why Prune Water Lilies?
There are several benefits to pruning back water lily foliage:
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Promotes New Growth: Removing old leaves allows new leaves to emerge, keeping plants looking fresh.
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Manages Spread: Water lilies multiply rapidly. Pruning helps control spread across pond surface.
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Improves Water Quality: Decaying plant matter can reduce oxygen. Pruning removes organic waste.
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Reduces Pond Load: Too many leaves tax pumps and filters. Pruning reduces plant load.
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Enhances Blooms: Less energy to foliage means more energy to flowers.
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Aesthetics: Pruning gives a tidier, more groomed appearance.
When to Prune Water Lily Foliage
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Early Summer – Prune lightly to shape and contain plants.
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Mid to Late Summer – Avoid pruning during peak bloom period.
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Fall – Cut back foliage before winter dormancy sets in.
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Winter – Remove any collapsed leaves or decaying matter.
Pruning throughout the growing season helps maintain optimal size and prevent overcrowding. One thorough fall prune before winter preps plants for vigorous regrowth when water warms up again in spring.
How to Properly Prune Water Lily Leaves
Follow these tips for safe and effective water lily pruning:
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Use clean, sharp pruners designed for aquatics. Disinfect tools first.
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Identify crown area where new growth emerges. Avoid damaging.
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Prioritize older, damaged, diseased leaves first.
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Focus on outermost leaves, leaving newer inner leaves.
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Cut leaf stems at angle near base to minimize visibility.
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Prune aggressively in fall, leaving just a few leaves per plant.
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Remove all cut foliage from water to prevent decomposition.
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Monitor regrowth and resume pruning as needed.
Taking time to properly prune water lily foliage promotes plant health and can be satisfying.
How Much to Prune Water Lily Foliage
Moderation is key when deciding how much to prune:
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Prune only 1/4 to 1/3 of leaves at one time in summer.
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In fall, cut back to just 2-4 leaves before winter dormancy.
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Larger plants can handle more pruning than younger ones.
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Removing up to 50% of leaves is risky but doable for aggressive pruners.
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Eliminate extra leaves shading blooms to highlight flowers.
Some foliage should remain after pruning for sustained plant growth. Too much pruning risks plant damage. Take it slow and evaluate response, gradually increasing over time.
Must-Have Tools for Pruning Water Lilies
Having the right tools makes pruning water lily leaves much easier:
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Pruners – Curved bypass pruners specifically for aquatics.
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Shears – Long handled loppers or shear scissors for pond access.
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Skimmer – A mesh skimmer to efficiently collect cut foliage.
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Disinfectant – A plant-safe disinfectant to sanitize pruners.
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Pond Vacuum – Sucks up decomposing matter from bottom.
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Gloves – Keep hands dry and protected from irritating plant sap.
Investing in quality aquatic plant pruners keeps blades sharp for clean cuts and minimizes injury risk working around water.
Signs It’s Time for Pruning
Watch for these clues that it’s time to prune water lily foliage:
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Excessive Spread – Plants multiplying and crowding pond.
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Leaf Discoloration – Foliage turning yellow or brown.
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Decreasing Flowers – Blooms smaller and fewer.
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Leggy Growth – Leaves widely spaced on stems.
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Pest Damage – Leaves with insect holes or spots.
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Dead Leaves – Significant leaf loss and collapse.
Any of these issues indicates the water lily is struggling and needs a prune for revitalization. Target obviously damaged and dying leaves first.
Alternatives to Pruning Water Lilies
While pruning is crucial, other tactics can supplement:
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Divide Overcrowded Plants – Split mature lilies to reduce size.
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Transplant Extras – Move and give away extra plantlets.
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Use Aquatic Plant Barriers – Plastic rings contain water lilies.
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Reposition Foliage – Shift leaves to balance light exposure.
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Add Water Flow – Fountains prevent surface plant crowding.
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Introduce Shade Plants – Floating plants limit light saturation.
Along with routine pruning, these alternatives help restrain water lily spread for healthy growth.
Special Considerations for Container Water Lilies
Container water lilies need a slightly different pruning approach:
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Prune More Often – To restrict size and prevent crowding.
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Prune Anytime When Established – But not during bloom.
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Annually Remove Older Leaves and Trim Roots.
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Keep Only 2-4 Leaves – Maintain appropriate size.
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Repot in Larger Container – If pruning isn’t containing water lily.
Frequent, minimal pruning is key for container water lilies to keep them a suitable size for their limited root space.
Why Proper Pruning is Crucial for Water Lily Health
Pruning provides many benefits for water lily health, including encouraging new growth, improving blooms, and maintaining an optimal size. While it may seem counterintuitive to remove leaves, it’s a simple practice that pays off when done properly and routinely. Follow these seasonal tips to keep your water lilies thriving for years to come.
All you need to know Before you get started
These are aquatic plants, of various sizes, for growing in ponds and lakes. They range from large, vigorous cultivars that spread several metres wide, to dwarf forms for small ponds or even a half-barrel. They are one of the most popular and instantly recognisable pond plants. The opulent, many-petalled flowers come in a choice of colours, including white, pink, red and yellow. They sit on or just above the surface, among the glossy lily pads. Waterlilies are perennials, so live for many years, dying down in autumn and re-sprouting in spring. The most widely available waterlilies are hardy, for growing outdoors all year. There are also tropical waterlilies, which have large, vibrant flowers. These are tender and need warm water – at least 21˚C (70˚F) in summer.
How and what to buy
Waterlilies are mainly available from specialist aquatic plant nurseries and online suppliers. They may be sold as
These have been lifted from the ground while dormant, with little or no soil around their roots. Various plants may be available bare root, including fruit trees, hedging plants and some perennials. They are generally cheaper than plants in containers, but are only available in winter/early spring, while dormant
bare-root plants (without soil) while
Dormancy refers to a period of inactivity in plants, during which they slow down or stop their growth, conserving energy and resources. This is a natural process that helps them survive harsh conditions, such as winter or drought. Dormancy in seeds is a mechanism that prevents them germinating until environmental conditions are favourable for growth.
dormant in early spring, or as growing plants in spring and summer. They are sometimes available pre-planted into aquatic baskets, ready for placing directly in a pond. Waterlilies need to be planted in aquatic
Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers – a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own.
compost or heavy loam, so buying ready-planted specimens is an easy and time-saving option, requiring no specialist products. 
Create a wildlife-friendly pond
Create a wildlife-friendly pond
How to choose healthy plants
How to choose healthy plants Planting
- Waterlilies prefer calm, still water, away from fountains, pumps, cascades or other turbulence.
- Plant in full sun to promote flowering.
- They are best planted in aquatic compost, or heavy clay-based loam, in an aquatic basket.
- Choose a cultivar to suit the size and depth of your pond – check plant labels/descriptions before buying.
- Aim to cover no more than half the ponds surface with leaves.
Most waterlilies are hardy, but tender tropical waterlilies are also available. These need a water temperature of at least 21˚C (70˚F) during the growing season, and 10˚C (50˚F) in winter, so are best grown in pool in a warm greenhouse or conservatory.
Dwarf/small cultivars reach 30–60cm (1–2ft) wide, and need water 30–45cm (12–18in) deep. Medium cultivars reach 60–120cm (2–4ft) wide, and need water 45–75cm (18–30in) deep. Large cultivars reach up to 2.4m (8ft) wide, and need water 75–120cm (30in–4ft) deep.
From late spring to late summer.
Waterlilies should be planted into an aquatic basket, with mesh sides, filled with aquatic compost or heavy clay-based loam. The basket prevents the roots spreading unchecked and makes plant care easier, as it can be lifted out relatively easily. Most waterlilies need a large basket, usually 5–10 litres, although a dwarf plant should be fine in a 2 litre basket.
To plant a waterlily:
- Line the basket with hessian and fill with aquatic compost or loamy soil.
- Trim back any long roots and cut off old or damaged leaves.
- Plant so the crown is at the compost surface, and firm in well. Add a layer of washed pea shingle to hold the compost in place. Water thoroughly.
- Place the basket carefully into the pond so the crown is covered with 15–25cm (6–10in) of water, and the young leaves float on the surface. You may need to stand it on bricks initially.
- As the plant grows, lower the basket in stages until it sits on the bottom of the pond.
Tropical waterlilies can be planted at their permanent depth immediately as they grow quickly. For more details, see our guide to planting aquatics. Ongoing care
Waterlilies are vigorous, hungry plants. To promote strong growth and flowering, add slow-release aquatic feed every spring. This comes in tablet form, to be pushed down into the compost, so it feeds the plant, not the water. You can also add these aquatic feed tablets at planting time and when dividing or re-potting plants.
When flowers start to fade, its best to remove them, if practical, so they dont sink down into the water and rot. If you can reach them safely, cut off spent flowers as low down on the stem as possible. See our guide to pond care.
Hardy waterlilies need no protection in winter. The leaves will die in late autumn, and should be cut off as low down as possible and fished out, to prevent them decaying in the water. The plant will stay dormant over winter, then start into growth once the water temperature rises. Leaves usually appear on the surface by mid-spring, depending on your local conditions. Tropical waterlilies need a water temperature of at least 10˚C (50˚F) over winter. Alternatively, take them out of the pond, remove the fading foliage, then store the tubers in damp sand at a minimum of 10˚C (50˚F).
WATER LILY PRUNING
FAQ
What do you do with overgrown water lilies?
Pruning a waterlily in the pond:
If your waterlily is too large and has become too heavy with roots stretching out across the pond base then do not give yourself a hernia by trying to lift it out to repot it. Instead, prune the crown of the plant in the same way that you would a shrub in the garden.
How do you keep water lilies blooming?
Regular fertilization will keep your water lily blooming and growing well. As a flower is spent, it should be pinched out to promote more flowering. Crowding and not dividing your water lilies lead to plants with few flowers.