How to Grow Lotus in an Aquarium

Fill a 15-gallon or larger aquarium with water until it reaches 2 to 3 inches from the top.

Install an aquarium heater in the water by hanging it over the top edge of the aquarium and ensuring that it is completely submerged. Set the thermostat of the heater to between 59 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit and plug the electrical cord into an outlet.

Fill a bucket with a soil mixture of one part garden loam and one part clay. Mix the two using a hand trowel until combined.

Fill a 5-inch diameter plant pot half full of the soil mixture and insert the roots of a lotus plant into the pot. Add more soil mixture until the roots of the lotus are covered by 2 to 3 inches and the entire green portion is exposed.

Add a 1/2-inch layer of small gravel on top of the soil mix to hold it in place once the pot is submerged.

Place the pot into a sink and water the soil until it is completely soggy. Carry the pot to the aquarium and insert it into the water in the desired location. Check the water level to ensure the top of the flower is no more than 4 inches under the top of the water. If there is too much water in the aquarium, place the pot on a brick or a stone to raise it.

Apply a 10-6-4 or 12-8-8 fertilizer tablet to the pot once a month by pushing the tablets at least 2 inches into the soil along the side of the pot.