Open and unpack your plants promptly after delivery. Some temporary softening or flattening during transport is normal. See our Receiving and Caring for Your Pond Plants guide for advice on helping newly delivered plants settle.

Always follow the planting-depth guidance on the individual plant labels supplied. Different marginal plants prefer different positions and water depths, even when included in the same kit. Our Pond Planting Zones Guide provides a useful overview of pond edges, shelves and deeper planting areas.

1. Plan the planting positions

Arrange the plants around the pond edge, on suitable shelves or in other shallow-water positions. Check the depth and light requirements shown on each plant label before deciding where it will be planted.

For a natural appearance, divide the six plants between several positions or arrange them in small, informal groups rather than spacing them evenly around the entire pond.

2. Remove the nursery pots

Carefully remove each plant from its 9cm nursery pot. Do not place the plants into the pond while they remain in these pots, as the pots and growing medium are intended for nursery production rather than permanent pond planting.

Handle the root ball gently and avoid unnecessarily disturbing healthy roots.

3. Choose the appropriate planting method

Plants intended for a damp, non-submerged pond edge can be planted into suitably prepared aquatic or moisture-retentive soil, provided this matches the planting position shown on the plant label.

Plants intended for pond shelves or shallow water must first be repotted into a Finofil aquatic basket with a capacity of at least 1 litre.

The round 1 litre Finofil aquatic basket allows even root development and is easy to reposition. The square 1 litre Finofil aquatic basket provides a stable, space-efficient option where several baskets will be arranged together on a shelf.

Larger or more vigorous plants can be placed into a larger basket where additional root space and shelf stability are preferred.

4. Repot plants for submerged positions

Part-fill each basket with peat-free aquatic planting and potting mix.

Position the plant centrally, keeping its crown at approximately the same level at which it was growing in the nursery pot. Fill around the root ball with more aquatic soil and firm it gently without compacting it excessively.

Do not use ordinary multi-purpose compost. It is too light for submerged planting and can release excess nutrients into the pond.

5. Add aquatic planting gravel

Apply a layer of washed aquatic planting gravel over the soil surface. This helps anchor the plant, keeps the soil contained and reduces clouding when the basket is lowered into the water.

Leave the crown and emerging shoots uncovered.

6. Position the plants at the correct depths

Planting depth is measured from the top of the basket or soil surface to the water surface. Follow the individual plant label rather than placing all six plants at the same depth automatically.

Lower each basket slowly into the pond and make sure it stands upright on a stable shelf. Newly repotted plants may establish more reliably at the shallower end of their recommended depth before being lowered gradually if required.

7. Allow the plants to establish

Aquatic plants vary naturally with the season. They may arrive compact, recently cut back or without flowers, particularly early or late in the growing season. Allow them time to establish before assessing their eventual height, spread or flowering performance.