Supplies & Planting Conditions
Choosing a Pot
The right container is:
- Round
- Water tight
- Wide enough and deep enough
You want a circular container so your lotus roots can coil around the bottom. Because the roots grow horizontally, you will want something that is more wide than tall. As long as it’s the right shape and size, just about any water-retaining container will work. I’ve used ornamental ceramic pots, wine barrels, plastic buckets, Chinese foot bath tubs, and even plastic take-out food containers for the very smallest lotus. I like to use up what I have lying around, but if you want something tried and true, then go for something like this.
The container size will depend on the type of lotus. Wider is always better. Your lotus will have more room to spread and take longer to outgrow its pot. But the bigger the pot, the more soil and fertilizer you will need.
Follow this rough guide for MINIMUM size requirements:
- Micro 6” x 4”
- Small 12” x 6”
- Medium 15” x 8”
- Large 20” x 12”
Soil
Topsoil from your backyard (if you have one!) is usually the best option, so long as it is free from pesticides. I use a mix of clay and sand sourced from a local landscape supplier. Any combination of clay and sand will work. Do not use potting soil or organically enriched soil.
Fertilizer
Lotus need to be heavily fed. You should plan to have fertilizer on hand by the second week after planting. At Ubu, we use Pondtabbs applied every 2-3 weeks. See our full recommendations here.
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Full Sun
Lotus require six hours of direct sun a day to thrive and bloom. When lotus do not have enough direct sun, they often grow taller, but they produce fewer flowers. If you experience extreme heat, a bit of shade during the day can actually be a good thing. But in general, your lotus will thrive the more sun you give it.
Temperature
Lotus grow best in regions that have sustained temperatures of at least 75 degrees F for three months of the year. Plant your rhizome when nighttime temps hold above 50 degrees F. If you receive your Ubu lotus shipment before its warm enough, then keep the rhizome in the fridge. Do not let it dry out. Store it with wet paper towel in a sealed plastic bag until conditions are right to plant.