How to Grow Lotus in Wisconsin

Fill a waterlily basket about three-quarters full with a mixture of two parts high-quality potting soil and one part compost. Plant the lotus into the container so the tuber roots are completely covered. Fill the top of the basket with stones to hold the lotus and planting medium in place.

Insert the planted basket into a pond or water garden container so the top of the pot is about 3 inches under the water. There should no longer be a risk of frost and the water temperature should be at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold water may cause the lotus to go dormant.

Verify the lotus receives full sunlight for 8 to 10 hours a day. Move the lotus to a different location if it receives too much shade.

Clip off yellowing foliage as it appears with a a clean pruning clipper just above the water line. Avoid cutting off foliage at any point below the water.

Monitor the lotus for new growth. Add aquatic fertilizer pellets to the growing container using the package instructions based on the plant size once there are at least six new leaves on the plant. Gently move the soil and stones with your fingers and insert the pellets without touching the tubers. Repeat the fertilizer application once a month after the first application through the month of July. Avoid granular fertilizer aquatic fertilizers.

Protect a lotus for winter once the leaves die off in the fall by submerging the lotus container under the water to a point where the water will not freeze. A second option is to remove the lotus from the water and keep it in a cool basement or unheated area where the temperature won't drop below freezing. Keep the tuber covered in water throughout the winter months.

Remove the lotus from winter storage once the temperature has warmed enough that the lotus won't freeze when placed in a sunny, outdoor area.