Sacred lotus
Nelumbo nucifera · Nelumbonaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant sacred lotus: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Nelumbo nucifera
- Family
- Nelumbonaceae
- Flowering period
- June to September
- Flower color
- Pink, white or red depending on varieties
- Mature size
- Emergent leaves up to 80 cm in height
- Hardiness
- Moderate (zones 6 to 11, ideally temperate to tropical climate)
- Growth
- Moderate to fast during growing season
- Origin
- Asia (India, China, Southeast Asia)
Care
Watering and water level
Indian lotus thrives in still or slowly moving water, 30 to 60 cm deep depending on variety. Keep the water level constant during the growing season (spring-summer). In winter, slightly reduce the water level if you maintain the plant in an outdoor basin. Water should be soft and unpolluted to promote beautiful flowering.
Light and exposure
Lotus needs 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily to flower abundantly. Place your basin in full sun or bright partial shade. Insufficient light significantly reduces flowering and promotes foliage development at the expense of flowers.
Substrate and planting
Use rich, slightly clayey potting soil, supplemented with organic matter (compost, pond silt). Plant rhizomes horizontally in a pot or directly on the basin bottom, 15-20 cm below the surface. Poor soil slows growth and flowering.
Fertilization
Apply balanced aquatic fertilizer or one slightly rich in phosphorus when growth resumes (April-May). Renew the application every 6 to 8 weeks during the active season. Reduce or stop in autumn to prepare for winter dormancy.
Pests and prevention
Lotus is generally robust, but watch for aquatic aphids and water snails that can affect young leaves. Avoid overly rich stagnant water that promotes filamentous algae. A well-balanced basin and good water circulation are often enough to prevent problems.
Maintenance and pruning
Remove dead, damaged or yellowing leaves to promote growth. You can cut faded flowers to prolong flowering. In autumn, gradually cut back dying vegetation as it naturally declines.
Did you know?
Indian lotus has been revered for over 4,000 years in Hindu and Buddhist cultures: it symbolizes purity and enlightenment because it emerges pristine from muddy waters. A remarkable characteristic called the "lotus effect" makes it naturally water-repellent thanks to its leaf's micro-structure, a property that has inspired many modern scientific innovations in nanotechnology.
Where to buy it
Best planted in spring or autumn, away from frost and heatwaves. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September, October.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- American lotusNelumbo lutea
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- SageSalvia officinalis
- GrapevineVitis vinifera
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.