How to Grow Water Lotus

Plant lotus rhizomes directly into the mud at the bottom of your pond or in heavy sunken containers. Lotus can also be grown in containers that have their drainage hole blocked and the soil constantly covered with at least an inch of water. Grow lotus in full sun.

Embed lotus rhizomes horizontally in the substrate just deep enough for them to stay in place and cover with 2 inches of gravel to hold them in place and prevent pond fish from disturbing them. Plant in spring after the last frosts.

Grow container-grown plants in clay or garden soil with 1/4 cup of granular fertilizer mixed into each gallon. Place the rhizomes at the edge of the container so that they can expand towards the middle. Sink the container so that it is 6 inches under the surface of the water. After the rhizomessprout. the container can can be moved to its final position. The University of Florida's Edward F. Gilman advises growing them in no more than 18 inches of water, but University of Arkansas extension horticulturist Gerald Klingaman notes that they can be grown at depths of up to six feet.

Fertilize your lotus with tablets formulated for water lilies, using one tablet per large leaf that your plant sends up. Do not fertilize during the colder months of the year.

Cut back any unattractive or dead leaves to within an inch of the water surface. Remove half of the edible tubers from containers in the spring. They can be frozen and eaten fried or in soups.