When Your Pond Plants Arrive 

When your pond plants arrive, they have usually been in a box for a few days, so it’s important to let them adjust before placing them straight into your pond. The best thing to do is unpack them as soon as they arrive and place them into a bucket, tub or shallow container with soil and water. Make sure the roots are in soil and the soil is covered with a small amount of water, but the leaves are sitting above the water. Place the container in the direct sun.

Leave the plants like this for a few days up to a week. This helps them recover from transport and adjust, as most pond plants are grown in warm shallow water and can struggle if placed straight into deep or cold water. Once you see new shoots or fresh leaves starting to grow, the plant is ready to be moved into the pond.

Move the plants deeper gradually over a week or two rather than all at once. Start shallow, then slowly move the pot deeper until it reaches its final position. This allows the plant to adjust to water depth, temperature and light levels.

As a general rule, pond plants grow faster in warm shallow water, in full sun, and in heavy soil rather than potting mix. Try not to bury the crown of the plant, and fertilise lightly once the plant is established.

Simple rule: Start shallow, let the plant grow, then move it deeper.