How do you plant pond plants in baskets? Plant pond plants in baskets by lining a lattice aquatic basket, filling it with heavy loam or aquatic compost, setting the plant at its original depth, and topping it with gravel. Lower it slowly; most marginals want 1 to 4 inches (2.5 to 10 cm) of water above the crown.
Key takeaway: Growing pond plants in baskets keeps roots contained, makes lifting easy and protects a pond liner. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) says plants in lined ponds must be grown in baskets, crates or hessian bags. This guide covers the basket, the soil, the planting steps and the right depth for each plant type.
| Item | Pond Plants in Baskets | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Basket type | Lattice-sided aquatic basket, lined unless fine mesh | RHS |
| Best soil | Heavy clay loam or peat-free aquatic compost | Colorado State; RHS |
| Avoid | Peat, perlite, bark or other floating mixes | Colorado State |
| Typical pot | 12 in wide x 10 in deep (30 x 25 cm) | Colorado State |
| Topping | Grit, pea gravel or fine gravel | RHS; Colorado State |
| Marginal depth | 1 to 4 in (2.5 to 10 cm) over the crown | Colorado State |
| Water lily depth | 8 to 12 in (20 to 30 cm) over the crown | Colorado State |
How Do You Plant Pond Plants in Baskets?
To plant pond plants in baskets, line the basket, add moist heavy soil, set the plant, firm it in and add a gravel layer. The RHS says aquatic baskets have lattice sides so water and gases can move, and they need a hessian or polypropylene liner unless the mesh is fine. Plant mid-spring to early summer.
- Line the basket with hessian or fabric if the mesh is coarse.
- Add a few stones in the base for tall plants, as RHS suggests, so the basket will not tip.
- Fill partly with moist heavy loam or aquatic compost.
- Set the plant at the same depth it grew in its nursery pot.
- Fill around the roots, firm well and top with grit or fine gravel.
- Water the basket, then sink it slowly into the pond.
Colorado State University Extension advises working in shade and moistening the soil first. Firming the soil before you lower pond plants in baskets reduces clouding of the water.
What Soil Should You Use in Pond Plant Baskets?
Use a heavy soil that stays put underwater. Colorado State says a heavy clay loam, like the soil under a typical lawn, is the preferred medium for water lilies and other aquatics, and warns against mixes with peat, perlite, bark or other light materials that float. The RHS suggests medium to heavy loam, garden soil free of fertilizer and weedkiller, or peat-free aquatic compost.
- Good: heavy clay loam, aquatic compost, clean garden topsoil.
- Avoid: bagged potting mix, perlite, bark, peat (they float).
- Avoid: soil treated with herbicide or rich manure.
- Feeding: RHS says pond plants in baskets usually need no extra feeding.
Aquatic compost may include slow-release fertilizer, the RHS notes, made so it does not seep into the water. Avoid ordinary granular feed, which can feed algae (our guidance). For clean pond water, see oxygenating pond plants.
How Deep Should Pond Plant Baskets Sit?
Depth depends on the plant type, so check each label, as the RHS advises. Colorado State says most marginal plants grow best with 1 to 4 inches (2.5 to 10 cm) of water over the crown and water lilies with 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm). Stand pond plants in baskets on bricks or blocks to reach the right height on a deep shelf.
- Marginals: 1 to 4 in (2.5 to 10 cm) over the crown.
- Dwarf water lilies: RHS lists 12 to 18 in (30 to 45 cm) total water depth.
- Medium water lilies: 18 to 30 in (45 to 75 cm), per RHS.
- Large water lilies: 30 in to 4 ft (75 to 120 cm), per RHS.
- Deep-water plants: start high on bricks and lower in stages as leaves reach the surface (RHS).
For lilies in tubs, see water lily in a container, and for overall depth planning, see pond depth for fish.
What Size Basket Do Pond Plants Need?
A basket about 12 inches (30 cm) across and 10 inches (25 cm) deep (30 x 25 cm) is adequate for most aquatics, according to Colorado State. The RHS suggests 1.3 to 2.6 gal (5 to 10 L) baskets for water lilies, or 0.5 gal (2 L) for a dwarf variety. Larger, vigorous pond plants in baskets need bigger containers, and baskets help keep spreading plants under control.
- Small marginals: 1 to 2 gal (4 to 8 L) baskets (our guidance).
- Vigorous plants: wide, shallow baskets reduce tipping (our guidance).
- Iris and pickerelweed: see water iris and pickerelweed.
How Do You Plant Water Lilies and Oxygenators in Baskets?
For water lilies, the RHS says to place the crown at the compost surface, top with washed pea shingle and start with 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 cm) of water over the crown. Colorado State angles hardy lily rhizomes about 45 degrees with the cut end at the basket edge. For oxygenators, RHS suggests 4 to 5 bunches of 3 to 4 stems per 11 sq ft (1 square meter) of surface, anchored in baskets.
- Rhizomes: set just above the soil surface, per RHS.
- Tropical lilies: pot them when water stays at 68°F (20°C) or warmer, says Colorado State.
- Fish: larger stones on the surface stop fish uprooting new plants (Colorado State).
- Koi ponds: see koi pond plants.
How Do You Care for Pond Plants in Baskets?
Care is simple: remove yellow leaves, divide crowded plants and lift baskets before they break. The RHS says to divide pond plants every few years once they outgrow their space. Repot pond plants in baskets in spring when roots push through the mesh (our guidance).
- Divide: every few years, per RHS; spring suits most hardy plants (our guidance).
- Overcrowding: too many oxygenators can lower oxygen at night (RHS).
- Winter: move tender plants indoors or sink hardy baskets deeper (our guidance).
FAQ About Pond Plants in Baskets
Do pond plants in baskets need a liner?
Yes, if the basket mesh is coarse.
Can I use potting soil for pond plants in baskets?
No; it floats and clouds the water.
What goes on top of the soil?
A layer of grit, pea gravel or fine gravel.
How deep should a marginal basket sit?
With 1 to 4 in (2.5 to 10 cm) of water over the crown.
When should I plant pond plants in baskets?
Mid-spring to early summer.
Do pond plants in baskets need fertilizer?
Usually not; RHS says extra feeding is rarely needed.
Sources
- Royal Horticultural Society — Aquatic plants: planting
- Royal Horticultural Society — How to grow water and bog garden plants
- Royal Horticultural Society — Waterlilies
- Colorado State University Extension, PlantTalk — Water Gardens: Planting Aquatic Plants (1026)
- Photo credits (Wikimedia Commons, edited with titles): Pygmy lily by DEEPAN RAJA .M (CC BY-SA 4.0); Water Lilly Crimson by Tripura.Pidikiti (CC BY-SA 4.0)