The lotus flower, Nelumbo nucifera, is an aquatic perennial admired globally for its large, vibrant blooms and distinctive foliage that rises majestically above the water’s surface. With its strong aesthetic appeal, this plant is a favored choice for home ponds and water features, symbolizing purity and tranquility in many cultures. Purchasing a lotus requires understanding the different forms available and knowing where to source healthy stock. This guide simplifies the process, helping you acquire your lotus for either cultivation or immediate decorative use.
Understanding the Available Forms
The primary way a gardener purchases a lotus for cultivation is as a dormant tuber, which is the plant’s overwintering and reproductive structure. These tubers, often referred to as rhizomes, look like thick, pale bananas and must be firm with visible, undamaged growth tips. Since the plant’s energy is stored within this structure, a healthy tuber ensures the best chance for growth and first-season blooms.
Lotus can also be acquired as a seed, though this method is more suited for patient growers. Lotus seeds have an extremely hard outer shell that must be manually scarified, or filed down, before planting to allow water penetration and trigger germination. While cost-effective, growing from a seed means a significantly longer wait for flowers, typically until the plant’s second year, as the lotus spends the first season building a strong tuber.
Mature plants are sometimes sold in pots during the growing season, offering immediate visual impact, but these are less common and more expensive to ship. For temporary decoration or floral arrangements, the lotus is available as a cut flower, usually sourced from a local florist or specialty market. These cut blooms are purely for aesthetic enjoyment and will not be viable for planting.
Distinguishing Lotus from Water Lilies
The true lotus (Nelumbo) must be distinguished from water lilies (Nymphaea). Lotus leaves and flowers are emergent, meaning they stand tall on stiff stalks well above the water’s surface. In contrast, water lily leaves and their flowers typically float directly on the water or barely rise above it. Additionally, the lotus has a smooth, circular leaf without a notch, while the water lily leaf has a distinct V-shaped cut.
Finding Reputable Retailers and Suppliers
The most reliable source for cultivating a pond lotus is a specialized online aquatic nursery, as general garden centers rarely carry Nelumbo varieties. The optimal time to purchase tubers is in late winter or early spring, typically from February to May, aligning with the plant’s natural growth cycle before it begins to actively sprout.
The quality of shipping is a significant factor when buying online, as lotus tubers are quite fragile and susceptible to damage, particularly at the growth points. Look for suppliers who package the tubers carefully in a manner that keeps them cool, often refrigerated, to prevent premature sprouting during transit. Always verify the botanical name, Nelumbo nucifera or Nelumbo lutea, to avoid receiving a mislabeled water lily.
Local garden centers and specialized nurseries may carry potted lotus plants during the late spring and summer months. However, availability is highly seasonal, and the selection of varieties is often limited compared to online specialists. Purchasing a pre-potted plant is a good option if you are seeking a fast start, but ensure the pot is round and has no drainage holes, which are the correct conditions for a healthy lotus.
For decorative cut flowers, the best sources are local florists or large flower markets, especially those specializing in exotic or tropical blooms. When purchasing a cut lotus flower, look for a firm stem and petals that are just beginning to open, indicating freshness. Since cut flowers have a relatively short lifespan, typically lasting only a few days, buying locally ensures the shortest time from harvest to display.
Post-Purchase Care and Planting
The immediate care for a live lotus tuber or plant is important for successful establishment in your pond or container. If you have purchased a dormant tuber, it should be planted as soon as possible once nighttime temperatures consistently remain above 50°F. The lotus requires a wide, shallow container with no drainage holes to restrict the rhizomes.
The container should be filled with a heavy, non-organic soil, such as clay or a clay-loam mix, to a depth of about 4 to 5 inches. Avoid using standard potting mixes, which are rich in organic material and will float or foul the water. Gently place the tuber horizontally on the surface of the soil, ensuring the growing tips are pointing upward and are not broken.
Cover the main body of the tuber with about one inch of soil, leaving the growing tips exposed, and then slowly add water until it covers the soil by two to four inches. Full sunlight is required for the lotus to thrive, needing a minimum of six hours of direct light daily to produce flowers. Once the first aerial leaves stand above the water, the plant can begin to be fertilized with aquatic plant tablets.
If you have acquired a cut lotus flower, the care is much simpler and involves maximizing the bloom’s lifespan. Trim the stem at an angle and place the flower in a vase with fresh, clean water immediately. Changing the water daily and keeping the vase out of direct sunlight will help maintain the flower’s appearance for the few days it remains open.