Lotus

The sacred flower of Asian countries launches huge plate-sized leaves from underwater stems and then unfurls spectacular, multipetaled flowers. As the blooms open, they reveal a crown of golden stamens that gradually gives way to a large ornamental seedhead. Lotus plants are quite hardy and can safely spend the winter dormant in a pond. As the weather warms in late spring, the plants will resprout and spin out new foliage. Plant lotus in pots and sink them to a depth of 2 to 6 inches below the water surface for the best display.

Light:

Sun

Zones:

5-9

Plant Type:

Water/Bog Plant

Plant Height:

4-6 feet tall

Plant Width:

2-6 feet wide

Landscape Uses:

Containers

Special Features:

Attractive Foliage, Fragrant, Cut Flowers

Top Varieties

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Baby Doll lotus

(Nelumbo 'Baby Doll') offers white blooms on a dwarf plant sized just right for container water gardens. Zones 3-10
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Double Rose lotus

(Nelumbo 'Rosea Plena') is a gorgeous variety that unfurls fully double, rich rose flowers. The plants grow 6 feet tall and wide. Zones 4-11
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Momo Botan lotus

(Nelumbo 'Momo Botan') bears huge magenta flowers that stay open for days and appear in summer and fall. It grows 4 feet tall and 5 feet wide. Zones 4-11
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Mrs. Perry D. Slocum lotus

(Nelumbo 'Mrs. Perry D. Slocum') offer attractive blooms that start out pink with a touch of yellow and change to yellow with a pink blush. The plants grow 5 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Zones 4-11
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Sacred lotus

(Nelumbo nucifera) features broad white petals tipped in rose pink that radiate around a central crown of golden seedpod fringed in gold stamens. The plant grows 5 feet wide. Zones 4-10
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