“Epoch Times, March 9, 2025” (Reported by Chen Juncun, Epoch Times reporter)
The lotus flower has long been hailed as the “gentleman of flowers.” The Confucian scholar of the Northern Song Dynasty, Zhou Dunyi, used the phrase “rising from the mud but remaining unstained, bathed by clear waves yet not seductive” to describe the noble character of the lotus in his essay “On the Love of the Lotus.” In Buddhist culture, the lotus represents purity and beauty, regarded as the sacred flower of the Buddha’s pure land. If you wish to plant such an elegant plant in your garden, what should you pay attention to? Let’s hear what the experts have to say.
According to a report by the UK’s “Homes & Gardens” magazine, people have admired lotus flowers for thousands of years. Aside from their cultural significance, from a gardening perspective, lotus flowers are an impressive species.
Lotus flowers are native to Asia and Australia, but nowadays, lotus populations can be found in many parts of North America, including states like Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and New York. However, in some states like Wisconsin, lotus flowers are listed as invasive plants due to their strong reproductive capabilities, posing a threat to local flora.
Therefore, even though lotus flowers are beautiful, if you plan to plant them, it’s advisable to first research whether your area prohibits the cultivation of this species. If not, you can try planting them to elevate the beauty of your pond to a whole new level.
John Peitsmeyer, chairman of the Heart of Texas Water Garden and Pond Society, and an expert in water gardening, stated, “Lotus is one of the best plants you can grow in a pond.”
Peitsmeyer mentioned that lotus flowers are perennial plants that thrive in still or slow-flowing water. With their large leaves and unique flowers, they create stunning landscapes wherever they are planted.
Similar to their relative, the American lotus, lotus flowers are aquatic plants, rooted in the mud at the bottom of the water, with their leaves and flowers emerging above the surface.
Under suitable conditions, lotus plants can propagate quickly through self-seeding or underground rhizomes. Rhizomes store energy during winter and sprout new shoots in spring.
Peitsmeyer emphasized that if you are planting lotus flowers in your pond, ensure they receive at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. They thrive in warm temperatures and require warmth to flourish. While lotus flowers can also be grown in cooler regions, they may wither in winter and only resume growth when spring temperatures warm up.
He said, “It’s well-known that lotus seeds have an extremely long lifespan, with some seeds being able to germinate even after more than 1,000 years.”
You can purchase lotus seeds at retailers like Walmart. Before sowing, rub the seeds with a file or sandpaper to expose a small amount of white or cream-colored embryo inside the seed. Then, soak the seeds overnight and plant them in moist compost. Within 5 to 7 days, you will see them sprout and become seedlings.
Peitsmeyer highlighted some important conditions to consider when planting lotus flowers:
– Soil: Lotus flowers thrive in muddy, nutrient-rich sediment soil, such as the soil on the edge of a river. While they can tolerate seasonal drought, they prefer a consistently moist environment.
– Sunlight: A sunny yard is the ideal location for lotus plants to grow. They flourish best under at least 6 hours of daily sunlight. Insufficient sunlight may affect their flowering.
– Pond depth: Lotus plants should be submerged in water 12 to 24 inches deep. They can be grown in various shallow ponds as long as they receive ample sunlight.
– Fertilization: If planting lotus flowers in a natural pond with aquatic life, the pond’s soil should contain plenty of organic matter to provide nutrients for the plants to stay healthy. For lotus planted in smaller ponds and containers, you can use aquatic plant fertilizer in spring and summer.
– Pruning: Prune lotus plants at the end of winter, removing all wilted leaves, stems, and seed pods to prepare for their spring regrowth. As these plants reproduce rapidly, regular pruning helps control their growth.
In addition to being ornamental, lotus flowers are also edible or used for medicinal purposes with a long history. Peitsmeyer said, “Lotus seeds can be eaten raw, roasted, or added to desserts. The leaves can also be used to wrap food, including sticky rice or vegetables.”
It is crucial to research the variety you are planting before consuming any part of the lotus plant, as not all varieties are edible. (For more information on the culinary and medicinal uses of lotus flowers, click here.)
Moreover, lotus flowers absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, contributing to keeping the pond water clear. Peitsmeyer stated, “These plants not only provide oxygen to the water but also improve the pond’s ecosystem and provide habitats for fish.”