The marsh iris, which is often called water lily in the vernacular, can grow both in the garden pond and as a plant at home in a pot. It is highly recommended for beginners. But how does she behave in care? What requirements does she have to be able to stay healthy?

Above all, water lilies need one thing: water

How are water lilies watered?

As the name suggests, water lilies love the element of water. They can be poured abundantly. But they should not stand in waterlogging. Mold or rot can quickly form there, especially in living rooms. Therefore, good drainage and drainage holes in the pot should be ensured.

In a sunny spot, such as on the window sill in the south-facing living room, water lilies should be regularly checked for dry soil (thumb test). Especially in winter, it happens quickly that the earth dries out due to the dry heating air. Water lilies tolerate short periods of drought. But this should be avoided in the long run.

Brown leaf tips indicate that the air is too dry. If water lilies are very dry, a short immersion bath (about 10 minutes) will help for their roots. Regularly spraying their leaves with water is also recommended.

Do water lilies need fertilizer?

Fertilizer is not mandatory. Only when the water lily becomes lazy to bloom is it important to add fertilizer. It can, but does not have to, take place once a week between March and September. In winter, water lilies should not be fertilized more often than every three weeks. The fertilizer ensures a rich bloom.

Should you repot the water lily?

Water lilies need to be repotted if they get too cramped. This can be recognized by the root tips that look out of the holes in the pot. Repotting can be done all year round. In the new pot, the water lily gets new potting soil.

Which propagation methods have proven successful?

Water lilies are easy to propagate. Two methods have proven themselves - dividing the roots and sowing:

  • Divide: in spring or autumn (never during flowering!)
  • Sowing in autumn
  • Expose seeds to cold stimulus
  • Dark germs that germinate after a few days to 4 weeks

tips and tricks

Attention: all parts of the water lily are poisonous. The rhizomes in particular are full of toxic substances. It is therefore best to wear gloves when handling, for example when repotting.

Category:

Vegetable garden