Can water lilies be grown entirely in water? A detailed guide to the full water-culture method, nutrient solution is the key

Everyone is certainly familiar with the water lily; it is very similar to the lotus and is an aquatic plant. In our guide to growing water lilies, we mentioned that although they are grown in water, they still need soil. Because of this, many flower lovers are puzzled: can water lilies be grown entirely in water? As far as I know, the answer is yes. Below is the full water-culture method for water lilies, very detailed; anyone who wants to grow them should definitely take a look~

1. Can water lilies be grown entirely in water? Yes

Regarding this question, I can tell everyone clearly that water lilies can be grown entirely in water. It is understood that water lilies grow in mud, but what they need is not the soil itself, but the nutrients in the soil. So when growing them entirely in water, add some nutrient solution to the pot and the water lilies will grow very well.

Note: When growing water lilies entirely in water, it is best to buy nutrient solution. If you want to mix your own, it must be diluted, not too concentrated. The reason is that if the nutrient solution is diluted, the water lily will only grow slowly, but it will not die; however, once it is made too strong, the water lily may suffer root burn, which can cause the plant to die. Now let us look at the full water-culture method for water lilies.

2. Full water-culture method for water lilies

Materials: water lily seeds, nutrient solution, flower pot

1. Selecting water lily seeds

Before preparing for full water culture, flower lovers should observe each water lily seed to make sure they all have a small opening, as only then will they sprout.

2. Soaking the seeds

In the full water-culture method for water lilies, the first step is soaking the seeds. Soak the prepared water lily seeds in clean water; after about a day, the water begins to become cloudy. At this point, flower lovers need not worry, as this is normal; simply change the water and continue soaking for three days.

3. Removing spoiled seeds and changing to fresh water

After soaking for three days, the water lily seeds have basically sprouted small shoots. If they still have not sprouted by then, throw them away, because such seeds can be considered spoiled and will not sprout again. Then change to clean water and add 14-16 drops of nutrient solution to it.

4. Adding more nutrient solution

After the above steps, in about another 3 days, flower lovers will find that the small shoots of the water lilies have begun to gradually grow larger; at this point, add another 14-16 drops of nutrient solution. After that, add the same amount of nutrient solution every 3 days.

5. Fixing the seeds

After a period of time, the water lilies will grow leaves. At this point, you can add some stones or heavy objects to the bottom of the water. The purpose is to press down the seeds and keep them fixed. Of course, you do not have to fix them, but if you want them to look nice, it is best to fix them in place.

6. Points to note

Before long, each water lily seed will grow more leaves, and after careful care, the water lilies will bloom into beautiful flowers. During this process, flower lovers should note that the water lilies need sufficient light, so finally place them in a sunny spot.

A detailed guide to growing pennywort!

 Pennywort is not strict about water quality and can be cultivated in soft fresh water. In warm regions it can be grown in outdoor pots, and it is suitable for water trays, aquariums, ponds, and wetlands, for indoor water landscaping; it can purify water quality, and the green leaves of pennywort can also purify indoor air, so it is beneficial to the indoor environment. From this aspect, pennywort can bring good feng shui. Today I will briefly introduce the growing methods for pennywort.


Growing methods for pennywort - soil culture method:
      Pennywort is mainly propagated by division or cuttings, mostly carried out from March to May. It is easy to cultivate; keep the growing soil moist, and roots will form in about 1-2 weeks. Sowing can also be used for raising seedlings. For the growing medium, you can use a mixed substrate made of leaf mold, river mud, and garden soil, with their ratio by volume being 0.5:2:2.

      If potting pennywort, you can do it once the young seedlings have taken shape. A medium-sized flower pot without drainage holes is often used as the planting container. To achieve a better ornamental effect, you can put 1 seedling per pot; after finishing, simply fill with water. To make it easier for the seedlings to recover, the planting operation is best done on a cloudy day.


Hydroponic method:
      Pennywort is not strict about water quality and can be cultivated in soft fresh water; salinity should not be too high. The pH of the water is best kept between 6.5-7.0, that is, slightly acidic to neutral. It has a relatively high demand for fertilizer; during the vigorous growth stage, apply fertilizer once every 2-3 weeks. If grown in a pot or container, then only a small amount of fertilizer is needed, such as a quick-acting fertilizer - Hyponex No. 2, or a slow-release fertilizer - Magamp.

      Pennywort likes an environment with sufficient light; in a shaded environment the plant grows poorly. It grows well in full sun; under half-day sun its leaf stalks will stretch longer and grow toward the light, and its posture will need slight adjustment to look more beautiful. It is best to let it receive 4-6 hours of scattered sunlight every day. Using a dedicated fluorescent lamp and giving the plant 8-10 hours of artificial light daily also allows it to grow normally. It likes warmth and fears cold.

      Pennywort grows well within a temperature range of 10-25°C, and the overwintering temperature should not be lower than 5°C. Under good management conditions, pennywort is not prone to diseases, but it may still be less affected by harmful animals. This plant is perennial, and it sprouts quickly and takes shape fairly fast. Without repotting, a shaped plant should not be continuously grown for more than 2 years, otherwise its growth may become weaker and weaker.


Semi-water, semi-soil:
      When growing pennywort, it is best not to use water culture alone. If pennywort is grown only in pure water, the results are generally not very good. Usually, a semi-water, semi-soil setup works better, just like growing water lilies and lotus; this way it is very easy to grow. If using only water, add hydroponic nutrient solution, and also use river sand, ceramsite, or pebbles to press down the bottom to help it grow.

      Pennywort extremely loves sunlight when growing, so it is best to place the water basin outdoors or by a window with ample light. If grown indoors, the daily sunlight exposure time should be no less than 4-5 hours. Pennywort is generally propagated by division; in summer, use scissors to cut at the point where the stolon has rooted, and transplant the front plant into another water basin to propagate it.