Sacred lotus Nelumbo nucifera
Sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Nelumbonaceae family, native to Tropical and temperate Asia to N Australia (shallow lakes). It grows 80 cm–1.8 m (31 in–5.9 ft) tall and 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 2 m (6.6 ft) apart.
Plan Sacred lotus in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Sacred lotus at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Nelumbonaceae |
| Mature height | 80 cm–1.8 m (31 in–5.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 2 m (6.6 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 6–11 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: rhizome (lotus root), seeds, young leaves |
| Native to | Tropical and temperate Asia to N Australia (shallow lakes) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇮🇳 India, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇵🇭 Philippines |
Is Sacred lotus toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Every part is eaten in Asian cuisine; not known to be toxic.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Sacred lotus
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
See Sacred lotus in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (12 plants)
- Gardens by the Bay (6 plants)
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (2 plants)
- China National Botanical Garden (14 plants)
- Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden (10 plants)
- Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (16 plants)
- Missouri Botanical Garden (6 plants)
- Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (3 plants)
- Denver Botanic Gardens (4 plants)
- Na ʻĀina Kai Botanical Gardens (4 plants)
- New York Botanical Garden (3 plants)
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (6 plants)
Questions about Sacred lotus
- How far apart should I plant Sacred lotus?
- About 2 m (6.6 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft).
- Does Sacred lotus need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Sacred lotus need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Sacred lotus?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
- When does Sacred lotus flower?
- From about July for 6–11 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Sacred lotus poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Every part is eaten in Asian cuisine; not known to be toxic.
- What grows well with Sacred lotus?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Sacred lotus. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Water lily and lotus registry and cultivation notes, International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society
Notes and assumptions
- Grown in a pond: rhizome or tuber in a basket of heavy loam at the stated depth; needs full sun and still water.
- Emergent: round water-repellent leaves and flowers on stalks 1–2 m above the water; the seed head is a flat "shower head".
- Sacred in Buddhism and Hinduism; India's national flower. Hardy where the tubers stay below the ice.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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