Tropical waterlilies can grow babies from the sides of their tubers just like hardy lilies so when the baby plants get some roots on them just cut them off of the mother and pot them up burying the roots but not the crown. Some tropical waterlilies can grow babies from the leaves and this is called viviparous. When you see the bump in the middle of the leaf start to swell and grow cut off that leaf and put it in a ziplock baggie with some pond water. Close the bag and let it float in your pond until it grows leaves and roots then pot it up and set it in a shallow area in the pond. In no time you will have an exact clone of the original. Most of the leaves on these type of plants will produce babies so, you can make many new babies in just one year. Cutting them off the mother tuber(rhizome) will produce babies but not nearly as many. It””s fun to grow the babies from the leaves and very easy, because it acts as a mini greenhouse and speeds up the growing process significantly. I usually have roots and leaves within two weeks. Incredible huh? I thought so to the first time I tried it. Wow it was so easy. But be forewarned not  all tropical waterlilies do this so if buying for this reason make sure the leaves have the bump in the middle of them. Or research before you buy because tropical waterlilies are very expensive. And most of all have fun with it. Thanks for reading  jeff@gabelmansgardens.com