How to Disinfect Water Garden Plants

Overview

Water lilies and other aquatic vegetation can add color and life to a backyard pond or water feature. Take proactive measures to clean the plants before adding them to your water garden, since such specimens often host various diseases and parasites. A quick dip in potassium permanganate--a common oxidizing agent available from pond-supply stores and used to treat common pathogens, parasites, bacteria and fungi--will safely disinfect the plants.

Step 1

Fill a bucket with 12 to 13 gallons of fresh water.

Step 2

Empty 4 tbsp. of potassium permanganate into the water. Stir the powder thoroughly to dissolve it. This creates a potassium permanganate concentration that effectively sterilizes all unwanted parasites, pests and organisms.

Step 3

Place the water plants into the solution. Let the plants soak for two hours.

Step 4

Remove the plants, rinse them with fresh water and release them into your pond or water feature.