Monty Don urges gardeners with a pond to complete task before deadline

is encouraging all pond-owning to roll up their sleeves and get cracking on this simple task. The much-loved English horticulturalist has since shared a timely reminder to divide aquatic plants before the middle of May.

“By the middle of May, the water of any pond is likely to be warm enough to plant into and to lift and divide any existing plants,” he explains. It’s also the perfect moment to introduce deep water aquatics like water lilies.

While dividing aquatic plants might seem like an unwarranted chore, it can actually be a relatively simple and satisfying task that can immediately benefit the whole pond ecosystem if done right. For example, splitting perennials in your garden can help prevent overcrowding and promote healthy growth.

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Unfortunately, aquatic plants, particularly water lilies, have a habit of growing aggressively if left unkept. So, if gardeners don’t quickly intervene, the plant species will quickly dominate, competing for nutrients and making life hard for the other plants and animals in the pond.

It’s also important to remember that overgrown or pot-bound plants can become stressed and grow smaller leaves and fewer flowers, which means they’re now at a higher risk of attracting pests or disease. So, by simply dividing and replanting, you can give your plants access to fresh water, nutrients, and space.

Dividing your aquatic plants is also great from a visual point of view. Splitting up the plants helps maintain a clean, balanced look in your pond, unlike overgrown plants, which can leave a pond looking chaotic and unkempt. Meanwhile, trimmed and divided ones add structure and clarity.

Water lilies are a key candidate for this job, especially if you’ve noticed their leaves sticking high above the water; this is a tell-tale sign of congestion. A well-divided lily is more likely to bloom beautifully and float serenely across the surface.

Marginal plants like marsh marigolds cluster around the pond’s edge and benefit from this springtime task. Without division, they can sprawl outwards and take over more space than you might like. And submerged oxygenators, such as water violet and water buttercup, can easily divide and propagate using simple cuttings. This keeps them healthy and ensures they continue doing their job of keeping your water clean and oxygenated.

Monty’s advice is not just about plant health but also timing. Missing this mid-May window means waiting another year for ideal conditions.

So if you’ve got a pond, a pair of gloves, and a free afternoon, now’s the time. Your pond will thank you with clearer water, healthier plants, and a more peaceful, balanced look.