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
