Symbolism, Meaning, and How to Grow It

Lotus flower comes from the lotus plant which is an aquatic plant native to Asia and East Africa. It’s renowned as one of the most sacred plants across a variety of cultures.

Its blooms, available in a variety of colors, rise majestically from the murky water to sit atop the water, a symbol of purity and transcendence.

The lotus’s ability to bloom from mud has led it to be revered as a symbol of rebirth and enlightenment, a testament to its resilience and beauty.

In the realm of spirituality, the lotus holds a place of high esteem. Buddhists regard the lotus as an important symbol of enlightenment, its blossoms serving as a metaphor for the journey of the soul from the mud of materialism to the purity of spiritual awakening.

Similarly, in Hinduism, the lotus is seen as a symbol of divinity and fertility, often associated with the feminine energy of the goddess Lakshmi.

The lotus is not only significant in Eastern religions. Ancient Egyptians also held the lotus in high regard, associating its rebirth with the sun.

Today, the lotus continues to hold cultural significance. It is the national flower of India and is often used in feng shui for its associations with prosperity and good fortune.

Whether in meditation practices, as a symbol in religious rites, or simply as a stunning addition to ponds and water gardens, the lotus is a plant of unparalleled beauty and symbolism.

Its stems, petals, and leaves all contribute to its overall allure, making it a favorite among master gardeners and spiritual seekers alike.

In this article, as a master gardener, I’ll share everything you need to know about this stunning, graceful plant, including how to grow and care for it.

Botanical Name: Nelumbo

Common Name: Lotus Flower

Family: Nelumbonaceae

Plant Type: Herbaceous, perennial

Hardiness Zones: 4-10

Sun Exposure: Full Sun

Soil Type: Loamy, clay, silt, sandy

Soil pH: Neutral

Bloom Time: Summer

Flower Color: White, pink, and yellow

Native Area: Asia, Australia, North America

About the Lotus Flower

The lotus flower, an aquatic plant native to Asia and East Africa, is a symbol of purity, enlightenment, and rebirth in numerous cultures.

This transcendent flower is known for its ability to bloom beautifully atop the water, despite its roots being in the murky water below; a metaphor for spiritual awakening and purity rising above the material world.

Lotuses come in a variety of colors, each with its own symbolic meaning. The blossoms, with their intricate petal arrangements, sit atop long, sturdy stems, while the large lotus leaves float on the water’s surface.

The lotus blooms are a sight to behold, often found adorning ponds and bodies of water in the regions where they grow.

What Does the Lotus Flower Symbolize?

The lotus flower is not merely an elegant aquatic plant that adds beauty to ponds and bodies of water.

It holds profound symbolic meanings across various cultures, serving as a symbol of purity, enlightenment, rebirth, and transcendence.

Purity

The lotus flower is a profound symbol of purity, a concept deeply embedded in several cultures and religions across the world. Its unique life cycle makes it a potent symbol of this virtue.

The lotus, an aquatic plant, begins its life in murky water, where it slowly grows towards the surface. Once it reaches the top of the water, the lotus blooms, its petals unfolding in a variety of colors.

This process of blossoming amidst the mud is a powerful metaphor for spiritual enlightenment and transcendence, symbolizing the potential for purity and rebirth despite adverse conditions.

Overcoming Adversity

This ability of the lotus to thrive and bloom, despite growing in murky water, is a potent symbol of resilience and the ability to overcome adversity.

It serves as a reminder that beauty and purity can emerge from challenging circumstances, embody the spirit of enlightenment, and transcend physical limitations.

Rebirth

The life cycle of the lotus is a remarkable demonstration of rebirth. The lotus blooms are born in murky water, rising from the mud to float on top of the water.

Each morning, the lotus blossoms open, reaching for the sun, and each evening, they close and sink beneath the water, only to rebloom the next day without any residue from their aquatic environment.

This daily regeneration is seen as a metaphor for the human capacity for revival and renewal.

Meanings and Symbolism of Lotus Flower Colors

Each color of the lotus holds a unique significance and is a symbol of different aspects of life and spirituality.

White Lotus Flower Symbolism

The white lotus flower is a symbol of purity, enlightenment, and spiritual awakening. This color is often associated with the highest realms of thought in many Eastern religions.

The white lotus is thought to represent the pure heart, untainted by the world’s temptations and tribulations.

Red Lotus Flower Symbolism

The red lotus flower is a symbol of love, compassion, and passion. It is often associated with the heart’s qualities and emotions.

The red lotus is also a symbol of the original nature of the heart, embodying the qualities of love and compassion.

Pink Lotus Flower Symbolism

The pink lotus is considered the supreme lotus, often associated with the highest deity. In Buddhism, it symbolizes the Buddha himself and his teachings.

This color is revered for its association with life’s core essence and the highest level of spiritual enlightenment.

Blue Lotus Flower Symbolism

The blue lotus flower, while not as common as its counterparts, carries a unique and profound symbolism. It is often associated with wisdom and knowledge.

The blue lotus is said to represent the victory of the spirit over knowledge and intelligence, symbolising the wisdom to learn from life’s experiences.

Lotus Plant Care

Caring for the lotus flower requires a deep understanding of its unique needs. As an aquatic plant, it thrives best in ponds or bodies of still water where the lotus leaves and blossoms can float serenely on top of the water.

The lotus plant prefers a sunny location and a relatively warm climate. The planting medium should be rich and fertile, preferably a mix of clay and loamy soil, to mimic the murky water and mud where lotuses naturally grow.

Regular fertilization during the growing season ensures a variety of colors in your lotus blooms.

Remember to maintain the water level, as the stems of this plant need to be submerged at all times for optimal growth.

Light

The lotus thrives best in full sunlight. This plant needs at least six hours of sunlight each day to bloom. The radiant light encourages the blossoms to rise above the murky water, allowing the lotus blooms to sit on top of the water.

Soil

The lotus thrives best in a muddy environment, specifically the murky water of ponds. This mud provides the perfect balance of nutrients necessary for the lotus blooms to flourish in a variety of colors.

The stems of the lotus plant grow in this mud, reaching upwards to the top of the water where the lotus leaves and blossoms open in the sunlight.

Despite its preference for muddy conditions, the lotus can adapt to a variety of soil types, provided they are kept consistently moist. This adaptability is part of what has made the lotus one of the most sacred plants in many cultures.

Water

As an aquatic plant, the lotus thrives in ponds and other bodies of water, where it can be seen reaching towards the top of the water with its elegant stems.

It prefers still or slow-moving water and requires a significant amount of it to bloom. Lotus blooms are robust and can endure in murky water.

It’s important to maintain a depth of at least 2 to 3 feet of water for lotuses to flourish. While they can tolerate temporary dry spells, a consistent water supply is crucial for their growth and blossoming.

Temperature and Humidity

The lotus thrives in warm climates with high humidity. It requires a temperature range of 75 to 87 degrees Fahrenheit during its growing season for optimal growth.

The stems and lotus leaves grow to the top of the water, where the lotus blooms in a variety of colors. The plant can survive in cooler temperatures, but the blossoms will not bloom as vibrantly.

High humidity levels are also crucial for the lotus, as it helps maintain the moisture necessary for the plant’s growth, especially when planted near ponds or bodies of murky water.

Fertilizer

Lotus is a resilient blossom that thrives even in murky water and mud. Fertilizer plays a crucial role in the prosperity and vibrant bloom of these plants.

It’s recommended to use a slow-release aquatic fertilizer, which is specifically designed for water plants and ensures the lotus blooms in a variety of colors.

Fertilizer should be applied every month during the growing season, from early spring until late summer. It’s important to avoid fertilizers high in ammonia or urea, as these can harm the stems and lotus leaves.

Types of Lotus Flower

• American Lotus: The American Lotus is an aquatic plant native to North America. Its blooms, a variety of colors from creamy white to yellow, rise above the top of the water, just as we rise above challenges.

• Sacred or Asian Lotus: The Sacred Lotus, also known as the Asian Lotus, is one of the most sacred plants in Buddhism, Hinduism, and ancient Egyptian spirituality. Its pristine, vibrant blooms are a symbol of purity, enlightenment, and the rebirth of the soul.

How to Plant Lotus Flower From Seed

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

To start, you will need lotus seeds, a shallow container, and garden soil. Lotus seeds can be found online or at a local gardening store.

Step 2: Prepare the Lotus Seeds

Lotus seeds have a hard shell that needs to be filed down or nicked with a metal file until you see the creamy white interior.

This process, known as scarification, allows water to penetrate the seed, encouraging germination.

Step 3: Germinate the Lotus Seeds

Place the seeds in a container of warm water. Make sure to change the water daily. Within a week or so, you should see a small sprout emerging from the seed.

This sprout will eventually become the lotus’s stems and leaves.

Step 4: Transplant the Sprouted Seeds

Once the sprouts are about an inch long, they are ready to be transplanted. Fill a shallow container with about 3 inches of garden soil, leaving a few inches of room at the top.

Place the sprouted seeds on top of the soil, and gently cover the roots with a small amount of soil, leaving the leaves exposed.

Step 5: Submerge the Container

The next step is to submerge the container in a larger container or pond. The water should be about a foot deep to begin with. As the lotus grows and the stems lengthen, you can increase the depth of the water.

How to Propagate Lotus Flower

Step 1: Prepare the Lotus for Propagation

The first step to propagate a lotus is to prepare the plant. Carefully remove the lotus from the pond, ensuring you don’t damage the stems or the lotus leaves.

Step 2: Dividing the Lotus Rhizome

The rhizome, which is the lotus’s root system, is where new lotus plants will grow from. Use a sharp, clean knife to divide the rhizome into sections, ensuring each section has at least one growth point.

Step 3: Plant the Divided Rhizomes

Plant each divided rhizome section in a pot filled with rich soil. Place the pots in a pond or a water-filled container, ensuring the top of the soil is submerged under several inches of water.

How to Pot or Repot a Lotus Flower

Step 1: Prepare the Pot

As an aquatic plant, the lotus thrives in a water environment, making it an ideal choice for ponds and large water features. However, they can also be grown in pots filled with a mixture of clay and loamy soil.

Step 2: Planting

Planting the lotus involves carefully placing the tuber in the pot, ensuring it is covered with a layer of soil but the growing tips are exposed.

The pot is then gently lowered into shallow water, allowing the lotus leaves and blossoms to rise above the surface.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Aphids

Aphids are tiny insects that can pose a significant threat to lotus blooms. They suck the sap from the stems and leaves, causing them to wilt and yellow.

If left unchecked, aphids can lead to the death of the plant. Furthermore, they can spread diseases between plants, making them a pest that requires prompt attention.

Leaf Spot

Leaf spot is a common disease that affects lotuses, especially those growing in murky water such as ponds. This fungal disease causes brown or black spots to appear on the lotus leaves.

Over time, these spots can grow and merge, leading to significant damage to the plant. If left untreated, leaf spot can lead to the premature falling of leaves, affecting the plant’s ability to photosynthesize and bloom.

Snails and Slugs

Snails and slugs are common pests of the lotus plant. They feed on the young leaves and petals of the plant, causing visible damage and hindering its growth.

Snails and slugs thrive in damp conditions, often found in the same aquatic environments where lotuses grow.

Root Rot

Root rot is a disease that affects the lotus primarily when it is planted in poorly drained soils. The disease, caused by a variety of fungi, leads to the decay and death of the plant’s roots.

Symptoms include wilting, yellowing leaves, and the eventual death of the plant. Root rot can be prevented by ensuring that the lotus is planted in well-drained soil and by avoiding overwatering.

Common Plant Problems and Solutions

Brown Tips on Lotus Leaves

Brown tips on lotus leaves are often a sign of inadequate nutrients in the water. As an aquatic plant, lotuses draw their sustenance from the murky water they grow in, whether in ponds in Asia or East Africa.

If the tips of your lotus leaves are turning brown, consider adding a water-soluble fertilizer to the pond. This will provide the necessary nutrients for the lotus blooms to thrive.

Yellowing Leaves

Yellowing leaves on a lotus plant can be an indication of too much sunlight. While the lotus is a hardy plant, known to rise from the mud to bloom at the top of the water, it can still suffer from overexposure to the sun.

If your lotus leaves are turning yellow, consider providing some shade during the hottest part of the day.

Stunted Growth

Stunted growth in lotuses can be a sign of overcrowding. If your lotus is not reaching its full potential, consider thinning out the surrounding plants or moving your lotus to a larger pond.

Petal Drop

Petal drop can be alarming for gardeners. However, this is often a natural part of the plant’s life cycle.

If your lotus is shedding petals prematurely, ensure that it is not being exposed to extreme temperatures or harsh winds. A more sheltered location can help preserve the delicate blossoms for longer.

Other Flower Guides from Planet Natural:

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Bleeding Heart

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Shasta Daisies