Nelumbo nucifera
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- nee-LUM-bo noo-SIFF-er-uh
- Description
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Sacred Lotus is a marginal aquatic (rhizomatous hydrogeophyte), herbaceous perennial, a native of Asia in the lotus-lily family, with large, fragrant pink flowers. It typically grows 3 to 6 feet tall in shallow water and spreads by thickened rhizomes rooted in the mud. The leaf blades either float on the surface of the water, or are held up to 5 feet above the water surface by their petiole that is joined to a depression in the middle of the leaf blade. Each flower is held above the water surface on 6 foot stalks and blooms for about three days, opening in the morning and closing at night. The plant's common name, Sacred Lotus, refers to the sacred and symbolic status the flower holds in Buddhism and Hinduism. The genus name comes from the Sinhalese name. The species name means bearing nuts.
Sacred Lotus grows best in organically rich loam, in calm water up to 6 feet deep, with mucky, submerged soil, in full sun. Each individual leaf and flower comes directly from the root system. The plant prefers a sheltered location with little exposure to wind and waves. This plant can spread aggressively and completely take over a shallow pond.
When planted in water, make sure that the water does not freeze down to the roots. If the plants need to be moved during winter, you can plant the roots in large containers or planting baskets with up to 24 inches of water covering the crowns and move to other locations if needed. In fall, containers submerged in less than 6 inches of water should be moved into deeper water or brought indoors for overwintering. Once established, roots anchored directly in the muddy bottom near the water margin will spread and colonize.
The fruit resemble the shape of a watering can rose that acquire a woody texture when dried and are highly prized for dried flower arrangements.
Some Midwestern states have labeled this plant a noxious weed and you should use caution if adding it to your landscape. Its planting in Wisconsin is prohibited.
The Clemson Home and Garden Information Center has a page on aquatic plants, including Nelumbo nucifera.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known insect or disease problems. Aphids and red spider mites are an problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Pond and Stream
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Nelumbo
- Species:
- nucifera
- Family:
- Nelumbonacea
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia (Iran to China, Japan, New Guinea) and Australia
- Distribution:
- Introduced to the southeastern United States, Italy, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, Leeward and Windward Islands.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- insect pests, diseases
- Edibility:
- Asian cooking, as well as other cooking, may use the edible leaves, seeds, or even the rhizomes in foods.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Water Plant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Good Dried
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Nut-like fruits that are imbedded in the flat surface of a turbinate (inversely conical) receptacle (2 to 3 inches in diameter). Dried flower arrangements sometimes use the dried seed heads.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers bloom in the summer (around June and July) and can be as large as 1 foot across. The cupped, fragrant, pink or white flowers (8 to 12 inches in diameter) appear on stiff stems above the foliage. Each blossom lasts for three days.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Waxy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Shape:
- Orbicular
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Rounded, parasol-like, upward-cupped, waxy green leaves appear above the water on long petioles which attach at the middle of the leaf underside (peltate). These circular leaf blades are 1½ to 3 feet across. The margins often undulate up and down.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Diseases
- Insect Pests
