Plant Doctor Archive

Water Gardens — Planting water lilies

WHY have I been told to plant my water lilies in clay? I cannot see how they can grow in this!

HOPEFULLY you were told to use clay loam, which is different to clay. This misunderstanding is quite common.

A clay-based soil will hold nutrients at the root zone and not release them in to the pond water, where they will only encourage algae. Sandy soils tend to release nutrients.

So you are quite right. You will only end up with a messy pond and sad plants if you plant into straight clay.

Reproduced with permission from the former Weekend Gardener magazine. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the RNZIH.