Planting Water Lotus

Lotus - the most spectacular of the aquatic plants - are really not difficult to plant or grow. However, to ensure your success, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:

1) Handle with care! Lotus tubers must be handled gently. Do not bruise or cut the lotus tuber. Do not brake the growing tips.

2) Do not let the lotus dry out completely or it will die.

4) Never cover the growing tips with soil or gravel.

5) To thrive, Lotus plants need full hot sun, proper feeding and a wide container.

Getting started. For planting you will need: heavy garden soil, a wide container, and pea gravel (optional). When you receive your lotus tubers it is best to plant them right away - if you cannot plant them immediately, float them in a pan of pond water (or treated/dechlorinated water) for a short time until you are ready to plant them.

Choosing your container. Lotus plants need very wide containers. For smaller cultivars such as Momo Boton, Chawan Basu or Baby Doll Lotus, we recommend a 20 inch holeless container. For larger cultivars such as Mrs. Perry D. Slocum, Asiatic Lotus or Hindu Lotus we recommend 23 inch holeless container. Remember the larger the container, the larger the plant will grow.

If you absolutely must use a pot with drain holes, place a sheet of newspaper in the bottom of the pot before adding soil. However, keep in mind that lotus can be very invasive. If the roots find their way out through those holes you will have a mess on your hands.

1) Fill your container 1/2 to 3/4 full of heavy garden soil. 2) Gently place the tuber on the soil, being careful not to brake the growing tips. 3) Place 1/2 to 1 inch of soil (depending on tuber size) over the middle of the tuber. Leave the ends exposed. Do NOT cover the growing tips. **Do not feed (fertilize) the lotus until several arial leaves have developed.

4) To prevent the tuber from floating up out of the pot you may: gently place about 1/2 inch of pea gravel (not on the tips), OR being careful not to bruise the tuber, gently place a rock on the soil that covers the middle.

Water Temperature. Before placing your lotus in the pond, tub or container garden, make sure the water is at least 55 degrees. Lotus will not kick-in and thrive until the water temperature reaches 70 degrees and there has been several weeks of 80 degree weather.

Location. Many people prefer to grow lotus in tubs, containers or pond side. Regardless, just make sure to provide full sunlight - at least 6 hours each day, the more the better. If your lotus is destined for the pond, do not place it near splashing water or strong currents and beware of fish! Shown left is Mrs. Perry D. Slocum with beautiful 12" bold flowers that change from delicate rose-pink to yellow and are held high above large, lush foliage.

Water Depth. To place your newly potted Lotus, gently lower the container so there is only 2"-4" of water over the soil line with the growing tips under the water. If the water is too deep place upside down pots or bricks under the container to raise it to the desired height.

Once the plant is established, you can lower it to depths of 6"-12" of water over the soil line.

More on Lotus:

Feeding Lotus || Overwintering Lotus

See our beautiful selection of Lotus Plants and our Lotus Availability List!

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