Propagate by offsets or seed. Offsets are removed during the summer-dormant period and planted in autumn. As offsets form quite slowly, P. aquatica may be propagated by seed to increase numbers. Sow seed in autumn and take care not to sow the fine seed too deeply. Water during the winter-growing period and cease watering during the summer-dormant period. Plants should remain in the seed tray for at least two seasons before transplanting into pots. Plant corms 1–3 cm deep, depending on the size of the corms, in rich but well-drained soil and do not allow them to dry out during the winter months. Seedlings will flower only after the second or third season. Pauridia prefer full sun and will only flower well if they are in this position. They do not tolerate frost.

Pauridia aquatica favour moist places, and often two or more species of Pauridia species will grow together. They will do well at the edge of a shallow pond or even growing right in the water. In their natural habitat, pools are seasonal and the plants die down during the dry summer months. Plant them in a pot and sink this into the water so as to be able to remove them for storage over the summer. It will make a striking pond setting to grow other Pauridia species alongside P. aquatica, although they will all do better in pots. The orange or yellow Pauridia canaliculata and P. capensis, yellow or white with blue centres, would make a beautiful show. Although the individual flowers do not last very long, they bring some colour to the garden during winter and make a brilliant display.