1. For tropical water lilies using a container about 20 inches in diameter and 10 inches deep works well. Using a pot with no drainage holes is best so the soil doesn't drift into the water and cloud your pond. If your pot does have holes, line it with burlap.

2. Pot your water lily with heavy soil again so it doesn't float out of your container. Also avoid soil mixes with perlite, vermiculite, or peat for the same reason. Now is the time to add aquatic plant fertilizer, push them into the soil before you plant.

3. Fill container about two-thirds full of soil, the tuber should be planted in the center of the pot and cover it with soil. The soil should then be covered with a 1/2 to 3/4 inch layer of pea gravel to help prevent soil particles from clouding the water and will discourage fish from digging into the soil.

4. You can now place your plant in the pond. Tropical water lilies prefer to grow at water depths of 12 inches but will tolerate 6 – 8 inches of water. Use bricks or inverted pots to adjust the water depth.