Nelumbo Species, Bean of India, Egyptian Bean, Indian Lotus, Sacred Lotus, Sacred Water Lily
Nelumbo nucifera
Family: | Nelumbonaceae |
Genus: | Nelumbo (nee-LUM-bo) (Info) |
Species: | nucifera (noo-SIFF-er-uh) (Info) |
Synonym: | Nelumbium nelumbo |
Synonym: | Nelumbo speciosa |
Synonym: | Nelumbium speciosum |

Category:
Ponds and Aquatics
Water Requirements:
Very high moisture needs; suitable for bogs and water gardens
Sun Exposure:
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Succulent
Foliage Color:
Height:
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing:
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
N/A
Bloom Color:
Pink
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Scarify seed before sowing
Seed Collecting:
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Union Grove, Alabama
Vincent, Alabama
Panama City Beach, Florida
Osage City, Kansas
New Orleans, Louisiana
Silver Spring, Maryland
Carriere, Mississippi
Piscataway, New Jersey
Brooklyn, New York
Apex, North Carolina
Beaufort, North Carolina
Dudley, North Carolina
Fuquay Varina, North Carolina
Kernersville, North Carolina
Oxford, North Carolina
Cleveland, Ohio
Sandusky, Ohio
Hulbert, Oklahoma
Central, South Carolina
Memphis, Tennessee
Santa Fe, Texas
Spicewood, Texas
Appomattox, Virginia
Clifton Forge, Virginia
Seattle, Washington
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Positive | On Nov 2, 2016, AFinSD from San Diego, CA wrote: My spouse and I have seen this plant at Lotusland in Santa Barbara and have occasionally seen it in bloom in the pond in front of the Botanical Building at Balboa Park in San Diego (although we didn't see any in bloom this year). |
Positive | On Jun 29, 2015, Lily_love from Central, AL (Zone 7b) wrote: I'm amazed at this plant's hardiness. Zone 4? It must withstand extreme freezing condition. In my modest zone 7b. The plant can be left in a half - whiskey barrel size pot with water over winter. The winter will occasionally freeze the pot solid with ice. Comes spring, when the water thaw out the plant will slowly awaken, and with proper fertilization. They sent out glorious large flowers. I wish there are more gardeners discovering this wonderful aquatic plants for their garden here in the U.S. as well as abroad. This maybe originate from the far East. But they can thrive here in our climate. It's a beautiful thing! |
Positive | On May 17, 2015, ekdean from Fuquay Varina, NC wrote: I have had a lot of success growing Nelumbo 'Mono Botan' What I want to know since it will soon be ready to divide is will they be eaten by deer? I can find nothing about this plant and deer resistance. I would like to start another whiskey barrel with this plant in my front yard where deer are a terrible problem. Deer will not eat my Elephant Ears which have a similar water shedding type of leaf. I was hoping the same would be true of my Lotus Plant. I would be heart broken if the deer started to eat my Lotus! |
Neutral | On Dec 7, 2014, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote: An extravagantly beautiful plant, both in its flowers and its immense blue-green leaves. Its pristine beauty emerging from the mud is a staple of Asian art and spiritual iconography. |
Neutral | On Dec 7, 2014, Scarborshannon from Las Vegas, NV (Zone 9a) wrote: Can I grow this under a grow bulb indoors? In a glass container? |
Neutral | On Oct 3, 2011, merrybp from New Smyrna Beach, FL wrote: I'm not familiar with this plant but wanted to know if it is invasive in ponds? |
Positive | On Jul 12, 2008, eliasastro from Athens, These tropical "monsters" love our very hot summer (avg. temp. 80F). |
Positive | On Nov 22, 2007, KorgBoy from Townsville, This plant is extremely easy to grow from seed in tropical areas. The seed can sprout in about 3 to 4 days when kept in warm water, and it grows very fast. The seed may sometimes take longer to sprout, such as 7 days or more, depending on the behavior of the seed. |
Neutral | On Oct 19, 2006, Kell from (Zone 9b) wrote: The day blooming flowers grow from 9 to 12 inches across and last for 3 days, closing every night preferably on a beetle inside whom is busy pollinating it. The flower stamen is reported to be the most potent for its medicinal value. |
Positive | On Jul 21, 2004, Pameladragon from Appomattox, VA wrote: This lotus is very easy to grow, almost too easy! If you plant it in an earthen pond it may take over and start colonizing the banks. However, ducks and geese will eat it. |
Positive | On Jun 26, 2004, Wingnut from Spicewood, TX (Zone 8b) wrote: These plants LOVE THE HEAT!!! About two months ago, I started twenty seeds from dried pods from the dried flower section of a craft store . I already have numerous aerial leaves on half of them and I think it's due to them being in black pots in FULL sun and fertilized at planting with fruit tree spikes. |
Neutral | On May 10, 2004, smiln32 from Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) wrote: Origin: Australia - Aquatic plant which holds its large (around 1') velvety green leaves about 3 or more feet above the water. Goes dormant in the cold months and require water temperatures in the 75-85° F for 2 months to prosper. |