How to Grow Nymphaea

1. Fill a container two-thirds full with heavy loam or clay gardening soil. The container should be 15 inches in diameter and 10 inches deep. Dampen the soil with water.

2. Place the water lily in the container, next to the edge of the pot. Set the rhizome in the soil at a 45-degree downward angle with the bud end facing the center of the pot.

3. Cover the rhizome with more soil until you cover all but the tip of the rhizome.

4. Add 1/2-inch layer of gravel over the soil to help keep the soil from floating out of the pot once submerged.

5. Press a fertilizer tablet into the soil of the newly planted lily. Add a new tablet each month through the end of summer. Use tablets formulated for water lilies and follow the manufacturer's instructions for rates.

6. Place the container in the water, submerging it to a depth of 6 inches below the pond surface. As the lily grows, gradually lower the container until it reaches a depth of 12 to 18 inches. You can place the water lily in the pond any time after the water reaches a temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

7. Remove the water lily from the pond in the winter if the pond freezes. If the pond is deep enough or warm enough that the water in which the lilies are submerged does not freeze, you may leave them in the pond. If removing the lily, lift the pot from the water and cut off any dead leaves. Seal the plant and container in a plastic bag and place it in a cool spot with a temperature between 35 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit.