In this article we will have a look into tropical water lily fertilizers.
Lets first start by looking at fertilizer analysis (N-P-K)
- N stands for Nitrogen. It is responsible for healthy roots, vigorous growth, and green foliage
- P is for Phosphorus. Its purpose is to ensure strong blooms.
- K represents Potassium. It aids in helping the plant resist stress.
When looking at fertilizers, you’ll notice that there are numbers that are associated with N-P-K. Those numbers represent the analysis and are shown in percentages. For example lets say a bag of fertilizer reads 10-15-5. This means that there is 10% nitrogen / 15% phosphorus / 5% potassium.
Tropical water lily fertilizers come in several forms: granular, tablet, or liquid.
Granular fertilizers for tropical water lilies
Granular fertilizers are typically slow-release and are activated by some element–water or temperature. One brand of granular fertilizer that we use is Osmocote. Although it is not marketed as a fertilizer for tropical water lilies, it actually works very well for tropical water lilies. There are different versions of Osmocote but we use Osmocote Classic which is 14-14-14. This means that means that there is 14% nitrogen / 14% phosphorus / 14% potassium.
- Osmocote Classic: 14-14-14
- Ag-Safe Pond-Pearls: 15-10-10
- Landon Aquatic Fertilizer: 12-20-8
- William Tricker’s Praefecta: unknown
Tablet fertilizers for tropical water lilies
Tablet fertilizers are usually quick-release meaning that when they are exposed to water they begin to degrade and therefore release fertilizer into the surrounding area. Most products fertilize tropical water lilies for a few weeks. We use Ag-Safe Aquatic-Tabs.
- Ag-Safe Aquatic-Tabs: 10-20-10
- Highland Rim Aquatic Plant Fertilizer: 10-26-10
- TetraPond Lily Gro: 10-14-8
- Plantabbs Pondtabbs Plus: 10-14-8
- Pond Care Aquatic Plant Food: 20-10-5
- CrystalClear Thrive Aquatic Plant Fertilizer: 10-15-8
- Pondmaster Aquatic Plant Fertilizer: 10-14-8
- Jungle Labs Aquatic Plant Food: 15-7-12
Other fertilizers for tropical water lilies
There are also liquid forms of fertilizers. We do not recommend them as contain low concentrations of NPK and diffuse immediately when applied. Finally there are extended-release fertilizers. Companies claim that they last a year. We do not believe that this is a realistic claim and feel that plants that are fertilized throughout the season will outperform ones that are fertilized once a season. A better option would be to opt for a granular or a tablet form.
Tips for tropical water lily fertilizers
- Don’t place fertilizer in direct contact with the roots of a plant. You could burn the plant!
- Tropical water lily fertilizers can be bought locally and online.
- Fertilize tropical water lilies every few weeks to promote continuous blooms.
- You can start with Osmocote and supplement with tablets or even reapply Osmocote (poke a hole in soil, place Osmocote in and seal hole with substrate)
- Are you out of aquatic plant fertilizer? Jobe’s tomato fertilizer spikes work well as a backup!
- Are your tropical water lilies lacking blooms? Select a fertilizer with a high middle number.
Remember we include a sample of Osmocote Classic with every domestic order!
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Author: Lorenzo Orlando Caum
@lorenzocaum is an entrepreneur and a marketer.
Lorenzo serves as a board member for the International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society. He has over half a decade of experience with tropical water lilies.
He is the founder of Enzo12 LLC, a web engineering firm in Tampa, FL. He also has a business, marketing, and technology blog and is studying behavioral economics.
