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Sacred Lotus Nelumbo nucifera

Phonetic Spelling
nee-LUM-bo noo-SIFF-er-uh
Description

This plant is an aquatic perennial with large pink flowers.

 

Some Midwestern states have labeled noxious weed to this plant.

 

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Pond and Stream
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#water garden#rain garden#fragrant flowers#white flowers#pink flowers#low maintenance#pond margins#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#large flowers#pond garden#waterlily#dried arrangements#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#water garden#rain garden#fragrant flowers#white flowers#pink flowers#low maintenance#pond margins#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#large flowers#pond garden#waterlily#dried arrangements#annual
  • 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 and New Guinea) and NE Australia
    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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Water Plant
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Occasionally Wet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Good Dried
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Seedhead has holes where seeds are inside. Asian cooking, as well as other cooking, may use the edible leaves, seeds, or even the rhizomes in foods. Dried flower arrangments sometimes use the dried seedheads.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    > 6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers bloom in the summer (around June and July) and can be as large as 1 foot across!
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Waxy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Large leaves are about 2 inches in diameter. Asian cooking, as well as other cooking, may use the edible leaves, seeds, or even the rhizomes in foods.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Landscape Theme:
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Diseases
    Insect Pests