To propagate a tropical water lily, the most common method is to divide the plant by separating its tubers which are modified stem storage organs, carefully cutting them apart with a sharp knife and planting each division in a separate pot with aquatic soil; you can also propagate some tropical water lilies by taking advantage of “viviparous” plantlets that grow on the leaves, detaching them and planting them individually when they develop roots.
Key points about propagating tropical water lilies:
Tuber division: Lift the water lily pot from the pond.
Locate the tubers on the root system. Use a sharp knife to carefully cut the tuber cluster into sections, ensuring each section has at least one “eye” (growth point). Plant each tuber division in a new pot with aquatic soil.
Viviparous propagation (for specific varieties): Look for small plantlets (vivips) growing on the surface of mature leaves.
Carefully detach the plantlets from the leaf. Float the detached plantlets in a shallow container of water until they develop roots. Once rooted, plant them in a separate pot with aquatic soil.
Important considerations:
Timing: Best to divide water lilies in early spring when new growth is starting.
Water depth: Ensure the new plants are planted at the appropriate water depth based on the variety.
Potting medium: Use a specialized aquatic potting mix designed for water lilies.
Sunlight: Provide adequate sunlight for healthy growth.