Nelumbo nucifera
Lotus
Common names: Indian Lotus, Sacred Lotus
Photo: T.Voekler · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
Nelumbo nucifera, commonly known as the lotus, is a warm‑loving aquatic plant that produces large, shield‑shaped leaves that rise well above the water surface and striking pink to white flowers in midsummer. In a container pond on a balcony or terrace it thrives when sun and warmth are adequate. In Central Europe the rhizome does not survive the winter outdoors and must be wintered indoors in a frost‑free environment. After flowering, characteristic seed capsules form, which are also popular as dried decorations. The plant is a symbol of purity in many Asian cultures and is also used as a food source.
Care instructions
Plant the rhizome in a large pot with loamy soil (no compost) and place it flat in the pond so the leaf tips just barely protrude above the water. Choose a full‑sun, wind‑protected spot, as the lotus needs many warm hours for growth and flowering. Fertilize sparingly during the growing season with tablet‑form pond fertilizer pressed directly into the substrate. Before the first frost, remove the pot and winter the rhizome in a frost‑free, moist location (e.g., a cellar at 5–10 °C). Regularly remove wilted leaves and spent flower stems so the plant can redirect energy to new shoots.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
moist, nutrient-rich, loamy, clayey
Feeding
Heavy feeder
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