water poppy

Water poppies prefer consistently moist soil conditions. As such, they should be watered once or twice a week, providing the soil beneath the surface remains slightly damp. Water each plant deeply and evenly until water begins to run off. Avoid overwatering, as that increases the chances of root rot. In the summer months, it may be necessary to increase watering frequency due to drier conditions. In the winter, decrease watering to once or twice per month in order to protect the plant from root damage.

Water poppies thrive best when grown in direct sunlight. They should be given at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight per day for optimal growth and flowering. If grown in a sunny spot, the plants can tolerate full sun all day, but they do best when they receive a few hours of dappled shade during the hottest part of the day. On days when the temperature is particularly high or when the plant is exposed to strong afternoon sunshine, it may be beneficial to provide some shade or filtered sunlight during the hottest times of the day.

Water poppy (Hydrocleys nymphoides) should be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. Pruning should be light and not excessive as water poppy responds best to light pruning. Cut back stems that look dead or diseased all the way to the soil. Remove any shoots that grow outside the desired shape of the plant. Deadhead faded flowers by removing the entire stem that the flower was on. This encourages new flowers to bloom later in the season. To encourage a compact growth habit, lightly shape plants by pruning any branches that have outgrown the desired size or shape. This should be done sparingly as over-pruning can cause the plant to look sparse or thin.