Sacred Lotus
Nelumbo nucifera
- Native to:
- Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hainan, India, Iran, Japan, Jawa, Korea, Laos, Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, North Caucasus, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Transcaucasus, Ukraine, Vietnam
T.Voekler
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Nelumbonaceae
- Genus:
- Nelumbo
- Species:
- Nelumbo nucifera
- USDA Symbol:
- NENU2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, white, cream
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Obscure Psara Moth (Psara obscuralis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- waterfowl, bees, beetles
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, silty, nutrient-rich clay
- pH:
- 6.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Thrives in shallow water bodies like ponds and lakes
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds have extremely hard seed coat requiring scarification (filing or nicking) before soaking in warm water. Seeds remain viable for centuries.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI