What is Sacred Lotus used for medicinally?

Seeds (kamal beej) used in Ayurveda as cardiac and digestive tonic; Leaf decoctions for diarrhoea and bleeding disorders; Stamens used in traditional Chinese medicine for haemorrhage

What does the scientific name Nelumbo nucifera mean?

Nelumbo: Latinised from the Sinhala name for the plant, recorded by colonial botanists. nucifera: Means 'nut-bearing', referring to the hard nut-like seeds embedded in the receptacle.

Plant of the day

Nelumbo nucifera

Q: Sunlight for Sacred Lotus?

Full sun. Requires 6+ hours of direct sun for reliable flowering. Shaded specimens produce vigorous foliage but few or no blooms.

Q: Water for Sacred Lotus?

Aquatic, 30–60 cm depth. Plant in heavy clay loam in 30–60 cm of still freshwater. Water depth should never expose the rhizome; deeper water suppresses dwarf cultivars.

Q: Soil for Sacred Lotus?

Heavy clay pond mud. Anchors in nutrient-rich heavy clay; sandy or organic-only substrates fail to hold the rhizome. pH 6.0–7.5.

Q: Temperature for Sacred Lotus?

23–30 °C optimal. Warm-water species; foliage dies back below 15 °C and rhizomes overwinter dormant in mud. Tolerates ice cover if rhizome is below freezing depth.

Sacred LotusAquatic

Nelumbo nucifera is an aquatic rhizomatous perennial bearing iconic emergent leaves and large pink-white flowers; the sacred lotus is the national flower of India and Vietnam, deeply embedded in Hindu and Buddhist iconography.

FamilyNelumbonaceae

GenusNelumbo

NativeIndian Subcontinent

LifespanPerennial; rhizomes persist decades, seeds viable >1,000 years

Sunlight

Full sun

Requires 6+ hours of direct sun for reliable flowering. Shaded specimens produce vigorous foliage but few or no blooms.

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Water

Aquatic, 30–60 cm depth

Plant in heavy clay loam in 30–60 cm of still freshwater. Water depth should never expose the rhizome; deeper water suppresses dwarf cultivars.

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Soil

Heavy clay pond mud

Anchors in nutrient-rich heavy clay; sandy or organic-only substrates fail to hold the rhizome. pH 6.0–7.5.

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Temperature

23–30 °C optimal

Warm-water species; foliage dies back below 15 °C and rhizomes overwinter dormant in mud. Tolerates ice cover if rhizome is below freezing depth.

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Fertilizer

Slow-release tablets

Push aquatic fertiliser tablets into the mud near the growing tip every 4–6 weeks during active growth. Surface-broadcast feeds promote algae.

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Pruning

Deadhead spent leaves

Remove yellowing leaves and spent flower stems at the rhizome to limit decay and algal load. Divide congested clumps every 2–3 years.

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Seasonal Care

How to care for your Hibiscus throughout the year.

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JFMAMJJASONDFloweringPruningFertilizeWater Daily

Common Problems & Solutions

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Yellow LeavesCause

Overwatering or poor drainage

Solution

Reduce watering and improve drainage.

PestsCause

Aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites

Solution

Use neem oil or insecticidal soap.

No FlowersCause

Lack of sunlight or nutrients

Solution

Provide 6+ hours sunlight daily.

Wilting LeavesCause

Underwatering or extreme heat

Solution

Water thoroughly and move to shade.

Expert Tips

Deadhead regularly to encourage more blooms.

Mulch the soil to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Move the plant to a larger pot if roots are bound.

Use organic compost for healthy growth and more flowers.