Waterlilies for UK Ponds: How to Choose, Plant and Care for Them

If you have a garden pond and you're not yet growing waterlilies, this is the guide that might just change that. Not because they're beautiful, though they are, but because they are genuinely one of the hardest working plants you can add to a pond.

A waterlily's broad floating leaves shade the water, keep temperatures down through summer, suppress algae naturally and create shelter for fish, frogs and a whole host of pond life beneath the surface. The flowers bring in bees, hoverflies and dragonflies. Once established, they largely look after themselves.

Getting them right starts with choosing the right one for your pond size and depth. Plant something too large and it'll take over. Too small and you won't get the coverage your pond needs. This guide covers everything: how to choose, how to plant, how deep to go and how to keep them flowering season after season.

A Brief History of Waterlilies

Waterlilies are among the oldest flowering plants on earth, with fossil records dating back over 130 million years to the time of the dinosaurs. Their ability to thrive in freshwater habitats has allowed them to spread across continents, adapting to different climates and water conditions.

In many ancient cultures, waterlilies held symbolic significance. The ancient Egyptians revered the blue waterlily (Nymphaea caerulea) as a symbol of creation and rebirth. It often appeared in art and religious ceremonies, representing the sun and the cycle of life as the flowers opened and closed with the rise and fall of the sun. In Hindu and Buddhist traditions, waterlilies were associated with purity and spiritual enlightenment, often depicted in religious imagery alongside lotus flowers.

Over time, waterlilies were cultivated and hybridised to create the wide range of colours and sizes we see today. French horticulturist Joseph Bory Latour-Marliac played a key role in the development of modern hybrid waterlilies. His collection, first displayed at the 1889 World's Fair in Paris, was admired by Claude Monet, whose famous water garden at Giverny was inspired by Marliac's lilies.

How Many Waterlilies Do I Need for My Pond?

This is probably the question we get asked most and it's a really important one. Plant too few and you won't get the coverage your pond needs. Plant too many and things can quickly get out of hand.

The goal is to achieve 50 to 70% surface coverage by midsummer. This level of shade keeps the water cool, limits algae growth and creates the shelter that fish, frogs and other pond life depend on.

As a general guide, we work to these stocking rates:

Miniature waterlilies (spread up to 50cm)
1 plant per 1m² of pond surface

Small waterlilies (spread up to 80cm)
1 plant per 1.5m² of pond surface

Medium waterlilies (spread 90–120cm)
1 plant per 2m² of pond surface

Large waterlilies (spread 120–180cm)
1 plant per 3m² of pond surface

So for an 8m² pond, you'd typically be looking at 3 to 4 medium waterlilies, or 2 to 3 larger ones, enough to give you that all-important 50 to 70% coverage at peak summer growth.

Not sure which size suits your pond? Browse our full range of waterlilies and filter by spread to find the right fit.

Waterlily vs Lotus: What's the Difference?

It's easy to confuse waterlilies and lotus plants since both have large, round leaves and showy flowers that float on the water's surface. However, there are some key differences.

Waterlily — Waterlilies (Nymphaea) have leaves, or pads, that float on the surface of the water, with flowers held just above the waterline. Their centre is flat and open, without any prominent seed pod or cone-like structure.

Lotus — Lotus plants (Nelumbo) have leaves that rise above the water on strong stems, with their flowers also held well above the water's surface. The centre of a lotus flower contains a receptacle or seed pod, a cone or showerhead-like structure with small holes where the seeds develop. As the flower matures, the receptacle becomes more prominent and eventually turns into a seed pod.

Waterlilies are better suited to UK ponds because only hardy varieties can survive British winters, while lotus plants prefer warmer, more tropical climates and struggle to grow in the UK.

Hardy Gonnere Waterlily, perfect for UK ponds, and Pink Lotus, suited to tropical climates.

Why Your Pond Needs Waterlilies

Waterlilies are more than just beautiful plants, they play a vital role in maintaining a healthy pond ecosystem. Their broad leaves provide shade, helping to regulate water temperature and reduce the growth of algae by limiting sunlight penetration. The floating pads also create safe resting spots for insects and shelter for amphibians and fish beneath the surface.

The flowers of waterlilies are rich in nectar and pollen, attracting pollinators such as bees, hoverflies and dragonflies to your pond. Their roots and submerged stems provide valuable habitat for aquatic creatures, supporting a balanced food chain.

Planting waterlilies helps create a stable and self-sustaining pond environment. They help oxygenate the water and improve clarity by absorbing excess nutrients, reducing the risk of algal blooms.

10 Golden Rules for Waterlilies

Following these key guidelines will ensure your waterlilies thrive and bloom beautifully season after season.

1. Don't plant too deep. Waterlilies don't need to be planted as deep as some people think. Ideally, plant them no deeper than 85cm. The optimal planting depth is between 60cm and 85cm for the best flowering and growth. The exception is specialised pygmaea waterlilies, which prefer shallower depths of 30cm to 50cm.

2. They need full sun. Waterlilies rely on morning sun to warm up and will typically open their flowers around lunchtime. Without enough sun, flowering will be limited.

3. Still water only. Keep them away from fountains, waterfalls and strong currents, as splashing and movement can damage the leaves and reduce flowering. When topping up your pond, avoid spraying directly onto the lily pads as this can cause them to scorch and rot.

4. Lower them in winter. If your waterlilies are planted in shallow water, consider lowering them to a deeper part of the pond during winter. This will protect the crown from frost damage, which can kill the plant.

5. Lower them gradually. When planting or repositioning waterlilies, lower them gradually into the water. Waterlilies breathe through microscopic holes in their leaves and dropping them suddenly into deep water can essentially drown them.

6. Feed every spring. Waterlilies are heavy feeders. Keep them in pots and feed them with an aquatic fertiliser every spring, using one tablet per 3ltr pot to encourage strong growth and more flowers.

7. Repot every 2 to 3 years. Repot your waterlilies to prevent overcrowding and ensure healthy growth. Trim away any dead or dying leaves and flowers to keep the plant tidy and encourage new growth.

8. Give them space and light. Waterlilies don't like to be shaded by tall marginal plants or other aquatic plants. Make sure they have their own space and enough sunlight to thrive. If the leaves are standing up rather than floating on the water, it's a sign that the plants are too crowded, spread them out to give them more room.

9. Remove spent flowers and yellowing leaves. This helps to prevent rotting and keeps the plant focused on producing new blooms.

10. Protect from fish. If you have fish in your pond, protect your waterlily pots with stones or mesh to prevent fish from digging into the soil and disturbing the roots.