Nelumbo, Genus, spp., Multiple species,
- Genus
- Multiple species
lotus
Asia, northern Australia, and the Americas
Overview
Nelumbo is a genus of two aquatic perennials in the family Nelumbonaceae, the lotuses, grown in still and slow-moving fresh water across warm-temperate and tropical regions. Plants grow from thick, branching rhizomes rooted in mud, sending up round, peltate leaves that stand on stiff stalks 0.3-1.5 m (1-5 ft) above the water and span 30-60 cm (12-24 in) across, their waxy surface shedding water in beads. Solitary cupped flowers 15-25 cm (6-10 in) wide open on tall stalks in summer, with many petals and a flat-topped central receptacle that enlarges into a woody, perforated seed head holding hard, nut-like seeds. N. nucifera, the sacred lotus, ranges through Asia to northern Australia in pink to white forms, while N. lutea, the American lotus, bears pale-yellow flowers across eastern North America. Flowers hold heat internally and last two to three days, opening and closing each morning. Rhizomes and seeds are eaten in many cuisines. In open water the rhizomes spread strongly and can fill a pond, so plants are often grown in submerged containers to limit them.
Native Range
The two species of Nelumbo hold separate ranges. N. nucifera is native across warm parts of Asia, from Iran and India through China and Southeast Asia to northern Australia, while N. lutea is native to eastern and central North America, the Caribbean, and Central America. Both grow in ponds, lakes, slow rivers, and floodplain wetlands.Suggested Uses
Grown in ponds, large water bowls, and submerged containers in full sun, set one rhizome per container of 30-45 cm (12-18 in) width. The flowers, foliage, and dried seed heads are used ornamentally and in cut arrangements, and the rhizomes and seeds are harvested as food.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 5'
Width/Spread3' - 5'
Bloom Information
Flowering runs through summer, mainly June to August in warm conditions. Each bloom opens over two to three mornings before the petals fall to reveal the developing seed head. A succession of flowers carries the display across several weeks.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Pink, white, or yellowFoliage Description
Blue-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Nelumbo grows in full sun in still or slow fresh water 15-90 cm (6-36 in) deep over a rich, loamy mud, with warm summers needed to flower well. The rhizomes are hardy where the root zone stays unfrozen, roughly USDA zones 4 to 11 depending on species and water depth, though the plants demand summer heat to perform. Growth begins only once water warms in late spring. Container culture in submerged pots of heavy loam keeps the spreading rhizomes in check. Still water and full light favour heavy flowering, while shade and moving water suppress it.Pruning
Yellowing leaves and spent flower stems are removed through the season to keep the water clear. All top growth is cut back in autumn as it dies down, leaving the rhizome dormant in the mud or container. Crowded rhizomes are divided in spring as growth restarts.Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 15 gallons
