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Nelumbonaceae
Sacred Lotus
Nelumbo nucifera
Purity, enlightenment, rebirth (Hinduism, Buddhism).
- Family
- Nelumbonaceae
- Genus
- Nelumbo
- Native to
- Asia, Australia
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Type
- aquatic perennial
- Height
- up to 150 cm above water
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil
- Clay loam in still water
- Water
- Aquatic (30–60 cm depth)
- Hardiness
- 4–10
- Lifespan
- Perennial; seeds viable for 1,000+ years
Did you know
- Lotus seeds can remain viable for over 1,000 years — a 1,300-year-old seed was successfully germinated in 1995.
- Lotus leaves are so water-repellent that water beads up and rolls off, taking dirt with it — the 'lotus effect' has inspired self-cleaning materials.
- The lotus is thermoregulating — it can maintain a flower temperature of 30–35°C even in cool conditions, to attract pollinators.
- All parts of the lotus are edible and widely used in Asian cuisine.
- It is the national flower of India and Vietnam.