Water Poppy

Scientific Name: Hydrocleys nymphoides
Depth: 25cm-40cm
Light Requirements: Full Sun to Semi Shade
Flower: Pale Yellow Poppy Flower

• Perfect for small garden ponds
• Hardy
• Fully Submerged

The Water Poppy is an attractive plant with shiny green oval shaped leaves that float on the water surface. It produces pale yellow poppy-like flowers during the warm seasons. Although this plant can take partial shade the flowers will be limited. The Water Poppy is a hardy and easy-to-grow pond plant as it spreads from runners across the water surface.  

Like all lilies, the Water Poppy provides shelter for fish and frogs from the sun and predators. Also prefers a position away from water movement as the lily pads can easily break.

POTTING WATERLILIES

Select a suitable pot (at least 20cm or larger is ideal). Smaller pots will limit leaf growth and the potential of flowers. Line the pot with newspaper to stop the soil from flowing through the holes then hold the plant to be potted in position while you pour the potting mix in around it. Tropical lilies can be positioned in the centre of the pot, Hardies should be positioned with the back of the rhizome at the edge of the pot so it can grow towards the centre.

Make sure to use an Aquatic Potting Mix! Aquatic Potting Mix is free from strong fertilisers and herbicides making it completely safe for aquatic life and it will not pollute the water.

Fill the pot to approximately 3-4cm from the top and push down firmly. Push 1 or 2 fertiliser tablets into the soil near the roots. Spread a layer of river sand on the top (about 1cm thick). This will stop soil from discolouring the water. Spread a layer of gravel stones on the top to hold everything down. We normally use crushed pea gravel.

Slowly fully submerge the newly potted lilies in a bucket of water or gently run the hose onto the pot until the water runs clears before placing them into the pond. This is to eliminate air bubbles and to get rid of clay that may be in the gravel or sand being used as this can discolour the water.

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