Lotus – 11 Things to Know

backyard water feature

Lotus can be an easy new plant to grow.  What you need to know about lotus before adding them to your pond:

  • They can grow in patio ponds to larger ponds.  Often people like them in larger ponds, 10 x 10 feet or larger because they are such a big  plant.  They can grow 2 to 5 feet tall!
  • Lotus do come in ALL sizes from large to really small ones so they can go into any pond size!
  • Plant them in full sun.  (6 hours of sun or more).  They don’t do as well in a shady pond.
  • Lotus are tall.  Their leaves do not sit on top of the water, but grow above it. (Lilies’ leaves float right on top of the water).
  • They are an excellent natural filter.
  • Plant them in calm water.  They flower through the summer and each bloom will last 3 to 4 days.  Cut blooms off when they are spent.  Put in a tablet fertilizer every month.
  • They can be invasive, so never put them bare root into the pond.  Luckily, they have a hard time growing out of their pots, so just make sure there is a sufficient rim and they won’t go anywhere.
  • Pots need to be the right size for your plant so make sure you read about it when you purchase them – it all depends of the variety you get.  Bigger pots yield bigger blooms!
  • When adding a freshly-potted lotus to your pond, place it only a couple inches under the water.  Once it starts growing, move it to just a little deeper.  Depending on the variety, they can go from 4 inches to 18 inches deep.
  • When adding new plants make sure the pond water is above 60° or 70° when adding tropical plants.
  • Cared for lotus plants will overwinter in Colorado!  (Yay!  Happy dance!) – Just don’t let the tuber freeze!
  • The biggest risk in putting lotus in the pond – you will want more lotus!

  Lotus Flower Lotus

Lotus Flower