Water Lotus Planting Instructions

Water Lotus Planting Instructions

Some people may think lotus and waterlilies are the same, but they are two distinct water plants. Waterlilies (Nymphaea spp.) have leaves and flowers that float on the surface of the water and long roots under the water. The leaves of lotus plants are at the top of tall, sturdy stalks held high above the muddy soil they grow in. Both plants have large cup-shaped blossoms. The two lotus species, the native American lotus (Nelumbo lutea) and the Asian lotus (Nelumbo nucifera), have similar needs. Water lotus is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 10, and has an aggressive growth habit, although it hasn’t been classified as invasive.

Planting Lotus Seeds

Spent lotus flower heads form unusual, attractive seed cones filled with large brown seeds with hard seed coats. Collect the seeds when the cones have dried, but don't wait too long or the wind will shake the seeds out of the cones. File the hard seeds slightly to expose the white inside, but don't damage the seed or it won't be able to sprout. Another way to deal with the hard seed coat for better germination is by soaking the seeds in warm water for a couple of days, then removing the outer seed coat. You'll see the white seed and possibly the beginnings of the sprout. Plant the seeds in containers or in the muddy water along your pond by pushing them into the wet soil about 1 inch and patting the soil down firmly.

In Containers

Lotus has been grown in bowls and pots since ancient times. Even the tallest lotus grows well in a large container as long as it has the right soil -- rich soil mixed well with peat and kept moist to wet. Plant the tuber or seedling at least 1 inch deep in wet soil in a sunny spot and watch the beautiful gray-green foliage sprout and leaf out. The smallest types of lotus grow less than 24 inches tall and grow well as houseplants in small containers with the right conditions, including evenly moist soil that never dries out, moisture in the environment with daily misting and at least 12 hours daily of bright light.

In Ponds

Lotus plants add an exotic flair to ponds and water features. They will quickly take over a location if left unchecked, so planting them in containers is a good idea. Use a 20-inch pot for large lotus varieties and a 12-inch pot for medium lotus varieties. Put a few heavy rocks at the bottom of pots to anchor them and add wet soil, then push seeds, tubers or seedlings at least 1 inch into the soil before submersing the pot at the pond's edge. Dig a hole in the wet soil to sink the pot into or submerge the pot in water to the rim.

In the Landscape

Lotuses grow well in boggy or marshy areas without much attention. If you have a section of property that is consistently wet, muddy or flooded, pushing a few lotus tubers into the soil 1 inch deep will soon populate the area it with elegant plants. If you want just one lotus, or perhaps a border of lotus but don’t want a whole field of it, dig out a shallow 2- to 3-foot-deep area and line it with a plastic or rubber pond liner. Put a layer of gravel on the bottom of the liner and fill it with wet soil. Plant seeds, tubers or seedlings at least 1 inch deep and 1 foot apart in the wet soil and anchor the liner with decorative rocks or stones.