🌸 Lotus: Growing Guide
Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) grows best in full sun with plenty of water, and does well at 5–40 °C (41–104 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–8.0. Space plants about 150 cm (59 in) apart. Expect 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Nelumbo nucifera |
|---|---|
| Category | Aquatic |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | High |
| Plant spacing | 150 cm (59 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–8.0 |
| Comfortable temperature | 5–40 °C (41–104 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season) |
| Height | 60–180 cm (24–71 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Continental | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Oceanic | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Subtropical | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||
| Tropical | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | ||
| Cold / Northern | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Apr–May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Plant out: Mar–Apr · Harvest: May–Aug.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Plant out: Jan–Feb, Oct · Harvest: Mar–Sep.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Plant out: Jun · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
Watering
Water about every 1 day in summer and about every 2 days in winter. Aquatic, always keep in water.
Growing tips
A sacred plant in Buddhism. Edible rhizome! Self-cleaning leaves (the lotus effect).
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Frequently asked questions
Lotus: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Apr–May · Harvest: Jun–Aug. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
Lotus: how often should I water it?
Water about every 1 day in summer and about every 2 days in winter. Aquatic, always keep in water.
Lotus: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 150 cm (59 in) apart.
Lotus: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Lotus: which plants grow well with it?
Water lilies.
Plan your garden
Add Lotus to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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