A water lily (Nymphaea) floating on a still pot of water is one of the most calming things you can add to a Pakistani garden — and easier than most people expect. You do not need a big built pond; a wide glazed pot, an old cement tub or a half-drum holds enough water for a lily and a few companion water plants. In Lahore's long, hot summer these pond plants actually thrive, rewarding you with waxy blooms and cool green pads all season.

Choosing your container and spot

Go wide rather than deep. A container 40–60 cm across and at least 30–40 cm deep is ideal — the wider the surface, the more room for pads and flowers. Any watertight vessel works: a glazed ceramic pot with the drainage hole plugged, a cement tub, or a plastic half-drum. Place it in full sun. Water lilies are sun-lovers and need at least five to six hours of direct light to bloom well; a shaded corner gives you leaves but few flowers.

Planting the lily

Water lilies grow from a tuber planted in a heavy garden-soil mix inside a small pot or basket, which then sits at the bottom of the water. Do not use light, fluffy potting mix — it floats away and clouds the water. Instead:

  • Fill a wide, shallow pot with heavy clay-loam garden soil (no bark or peat).
  • Set the tuber at an angle with the growing tip just above the soil.
  • Top with a 2–3 cm layer of gravel to hold the soil down.
  • Lower it in so there is about 20–30 cm of water over the crown.

Water, feeding and keeping it clear

Top up the water as it evaporates — in peak Lahore summer that can be every day or two. Feed lilies with a slow-release aquatic fertiliser tablet pushed into the soil near the roots every few weeks through the growing season; do not scatter loose fertiliser in the water, as it feeds algae instead. To keep the water from turning green, add a couple of floating plants such as water lettuce or a small clump of submerged oxygenating grass — they shade and compete with algae. A single small goldfish or a few mosquito fish also help, and stop mosquitoes breeding.

Season and winter care

The main show runs from April through October, peaking in the hottest months. Tropical water lilies dislike cold; when nights turn chilly around December–January, growth slows and leaves may die back. In most of Punjab the tuber survives at the bottom of the tub if the water does not freeze — simply stop feeding, remove yellow leaves, and let it rest until spring warmth wakes it again.

Common questions

Is a water lily the same as a lotus?

No. A water lily (Nymphaea) floats its pads and flowers on the water surface, while a lotus (Nelumbo) holds its leaves and blooms high above the water on tall stems. Both grow well here; the water lily is easier for a small home tub.

Do I need a pump or filter?

Not for a small planted tub. A balance of lily pads, a few floating plants and a fish or two keeps the water healthy on its own. A pump only becomes useful in larger ponds or if you want a fountain.

Will the standing water breed mosquitoes?

Only if it is bare. Add a few mosquito fish or a small goldfish and they eat the larvae before they hatch, so a well-stocked lily tub is not a mosquito problem.

We do not keep water lilies growing at the farm just now, but we can source healthy lily tubers and companion pond plants for you — message us on WhatsApp and we will arrange it. If you want fragrance to go with the water feature, we do keep motia (Arabian jasmine) at the farm — a pot beside your tub perfumes the whole evening. New to all this? Start with our beginner's guide to gardening in Pakistan, and see what else to plant in our seasonal flowers guide.