How To Get Rid Of Pond Lilies

You can get rid of pond lilies by combining physical removal, natural control methods, and targeted treatments to restore your pond’s health.
 
If you’ve been staring at a carpet of green pads and wondering how to get rid of pond lilies without harming your fish or the ecosystem, you’re in the right place.
 
Pond lilies can take over a small pond in just one warm season, choking out oxygen and making swimming or fishing a real hassle.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through several proven strategies to get rid of pond lilies, from pulling them by hand to using safe aquatic herbicides.
 
You’ll learn which method works best for your specific pond size, how to prevent them from coming back, and why simply cutting them down often makes things worse.
 
Let’s dig into the practical steps you can take starting today to get rid of pond lilies for good.
 

Why Getting Rid of Pond Lilies Is So Tricky

Getting rid of pond lilies is tricky because these plants have massive root systems that store energy for years.
 
A single lily pad may look harmless, but underneath the mud sits a thick rhizome that can stretch several feet long.
 
If you break off just the leaves or flowers, the roots will simply send up new shoots within days.
 
That’s why many people try to get rid of pond lilies and end up frustrated when the patches return even thicker than before.
 
The good news is that understanding the plant’s lifecycle makes it much easier to get rid of pond lilies effectively.
 
You need to target the roots, not just the parts you can see floating on the surface.
 
And depending on how large your pond is, you might choose one method over another to get rid of pond lilies with minimal effort.
 

1. Physical Removal: The Best Way to Get Rid of Pond Lilies in Small Ponds

If your pond is small, say under half an acre, physical removal is often the most reliable way to get rid of pond lilies.
 
You can wade in with a rake, a weed wrench, or even your hands to pull up the entire root system.
 
The key is to get the whole rhizome out, because any piece left behind can regrow into a new lily.
 
Start in early spring when the roots are still weak and the water is cooler.
 
You can also use a pond rake with a long handle to drag the bottom and loosen the roots before pulling.
 
Be prepared for a workout because lily roots are tough and deeply embedded in the mud.
 
After you pull the plants, remove them from the shoreline immediately so they don’t re-root in shallow water.
 
This method to get rid of pond lilies is time-consuming, but it’s chemical-free and safe for fish and frogs.
 

2. Cut Them Down Repeatedly to Starve the Roots

Cutting alone won’t get rid of pond lilies, but repeated cutting can weaken the roots over time.
 
Use a weed cutter or a sharp scythe blade to slice the lily pads just below the waterline.
 
Do this every week during the growing season so the plant can never photosynthesize enough energy.
 
Eventually, the roots will run out of stored food and the lilies will stop coming back.
 
This is a slow way to get rid of pond lilies, but it requires less physical effort than digging up roots.
 
Just remember that you’ll need to stay consistent because missing a few weeks can let the lilies recover fully.
 
For a small pond, pair this cutting method with some root pulling to speed up the process of getting rid of pond lilies.
 

3. Use a Bottom Barrier to Block Their Growth

Another effective way to get rid of pond lilies is to install a permeable fabric barrier on the pond bottom.
 
You can lay this fabric in areas where lilies are dense, and it will block sunlight and space for roots to grow.
 
Weights and stakes hold the barrier in place, and water can still flow through it so your pond stays healthy.
 
This method works best in spots where you don’t want any plants, like near a swimming area or boat dock.
 
Covering just a section of the pond can help you get rid of pond lilies without treating the entire water body.
 
Over time, the roots under the barrier will die off from lack of light and nutrient access.
 
It’s a permanent solution to get rid of pond lilies in targeted areas, though it can be tricky to install in deep water.
 

4. Introduce Natural Predators That Eat Pond Lilies

If you want an eco-friendly way to get rid of pond lilies, consider adding grass carp to your pond.
 
Grass carp are large fish that love to munch on aquatic vegetation, including lily pads and shoots.
 
However, they may not completely get rid of pond lilies because they prefer softer plants and often avoid thick rhizomes.
 
You’ll need to stock several carp per acre, and you may need a permit in some areas.
 
Also, grass carp can quickly eat down other desirable plants, so use them only if you’re okay with a mostly plant-free pond.
 
Another natural option is to use ducks, which will graze on lily pads, but they’re messier and less effective on large ponds.
 
For a biological approach to get rid of pond lilies, this can work well when combined with other methods.
 

5. Apply Aquatic Herbicides as a Last Resort

When physical methods are too hard because of a large pond, herbicides can help you get rid of pond lilies quickly.
 
Look for aquatic-safe products containing glyphosate or imazamox that are labeled for lily control.
 
You’ll need to spray the leaves directly, and the chemical will travel down to the roots and kill them.
 
Timing matters: apply in late spring or early summer when lilies are actively growing and not yet flowering.
 
Be careful not to use too much, as dying plants can consume oxygen and harm fish.
 
Always follow the label instructions exactly to get rid of pond lilies safely and legally.
 
After a couple of weeks, you’ll see the lilies turn brown and sink, and you can remove the dead debris.
 
Herbicides are a powerful tool to get rid of pond lilies, but they should be your last choice if you care about water quality.
 

Preventing Pond Lilies from Coming Back

Once you manage to get rid of pond lilies, the real battle is keeping them away for good.
 
The easiest way to prevent regrowth is to shade the water so lily seeds can’t germinate.
 
You can plant tall marginal plants like cattails or rushes along the shallow edges to block sunlight.
 
Also, treat your pond water to reduce excess nutrients, which feed lily growth in the first place.
 
Adding a pond dye, like a blue or black dye, cuts off sunlight and makes it much harder for lilies to establish.
 
If you’ve just gotten rid of pond lilies in a small pond, consider adding a fountain or aerator to keep water moving.
 
Lilies prefer calm, still water, so gentle circulation can discourage them.
 
Keep an eye out in early spring for any new shoots, and pull them immediately before they spread.
 
With regular maintenance and a few preventive tricks, you can get rid of pond lilies and keep them gone.
 

So, How to Get Rid of Pond Lilies for Good?

You can get rid of pond lilies by pulling roots, cutting leaves, blocking sunlight, or using targeted herbicides.
 
The best method depends on your pond size, how much time you have, and whether you want to avoid chemicals.
 
For small ponds, physical removal is the most effective way to get rid of pond lilies in one season.
 
For larger ponds, combine cutting with grass carp or a barrier to reduce the workload.
 
If you’re in a hurry, an aquatic herbicide will get rid of pond lilies fastest, but remember the oxygen risks.
 
The most important thing is to act early because waiting a few months gives the roots time to double in size.
 
Now that you know how to get rid of pond lilies, pick a sunny weekend and start with the simplest method for your pond.
 
Your pond will thank you, and soon you’ll be enjoying open, clear water instead of a green tangle.