Easy pot ideas
Slip a plastic pot into a wooden barrel, position pavers of various heights to act as pedestals and place potted aquatic plants on top. The only drawback is that the pots are visible. Add a spouter and rest the pump on a pedestal (without a cup).

Or make a terracotta container watertight. Plug the drain hole with plumber’s epoxy and apply two coats of polyurethane inside and out.

1. Attach the spout
Drill a small hole in the rim of the container to mount the spouting ornament, bending the support spike if necessary. Spread the soil of the lily or other deep-water plants in half of the container, then add kitty litter around it to create a level floor.

3. Divide the container
Place a stone partition across the centre. Plant shallow-growing plants and spread more kitty litter over the soil. On the low side, nestle a plastic cup for the pump, keeping it covered to stop gravel falling in. Spread pea gravel over the kitty litter.

4. Connect the pump
Use 10mm plastic tubing to connect the pump to the spouter. Press the pump into the cup so the suction cups anchor it to the bottom. Cover the pump with a nylon stocking filter, then with pea gravel. Fill with water.