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Hardy water lilies should be divided every two to three years, depending on the size of the container they are growing in.  Early spring is the best time, but hardy lilies can be divided any time during the growing season.

Check your lilies. If the pots are bulging out at the sides, or the lily tubers are hanging out over the top of the pot, it is time to divide.  You may also notice smaller and fewer leaves and flowers, this can also be a sign that it is time to divide and repot.

The best container is a five to seven gallon pot that is wide and shallow.

Here are five easy steps to get your lilies growing and blooming again:

• Carefully remove the plant from its existing pot (you may have to cut the old pot away).  Gently wash the soil away with a garden hose to expose the tuber, roots and growing tips.

• Examine the tuber, you will see the newer growth on one end that includes leaves, flower buds and roots.  Often there will be more than one end with good growth and roots.  Select the best looking piece(s) and cut to 3-5” long with a sharp knife, keeping the end with good roots and top growth.  Trim off excess roots (leave the white, emerging roots), all older and damaged leaves and all flower buds.  The ‘new’ plant must put most of its energy into developing a new root system, not making leaves and flowers right away.

• Partially fill your container with an aquatic soil or heavy garden soil, not traditional potting soil that includes peat and vermiculite or perlite.  If there are large holes in your pot, line it with burlap or weed fabric first to keep the soil from washing out through the holes.  Push the tuber down into the soil at a 45 degree angle, with the cut end down and near the side of the pot.  This will provide the most room for your new plant to grow.  Place three aquatic fertilizer tablets, into the soil about half way down, equally spaced around the pot.  Add more soil as necessary, press it around the tuber and roots but do not cover the growing tips.  Finally, add a layer of pea gravel on top, this will help to keep your fish from digging at the roots and will hold the soil in place.

• Slowly submerge the pot into your pond.  It is best to start it in shallow water (6-12”) until the first few new leaves appear, it can then be lowered to depths up to three feet.  You will likely notice a little cloudiness in the water from the soil but this will settle out quickly.

• Fertilize your lilies every four weeks during the growing season with 3-4 tablets.  Push the tablets 1-2” down into the soil, away from the tuber.  Remove spent flower buds and old leaves throughout the season as necessary.