A symbol in many cultures for instauration and rebirth , the Nymphaea lotus is an aquatic perennial pond plant pop in piss gardens .
It is not a piss lily , as some hoi polloi remember , but one of its common names is Chinese waterlily , and it does apportion some characteristics with thewater lily . Other coarse names are sacred lotus , Chinese arrowroot , pinkish lotus , eastern lotus , Indian lotus , padma and body of water edible bean .
The lotus ( Nelumbo nucifera , USDA hardiness zone 4 to 10 ) is native to Asia and northern Australia . In Buddhism , the lotus is wide used to comprise the cycle of life from giving birth to dying to rebirth .
Water Lily and Lotus Differences
The water lily ( Nymphaeaspp . ) , sometimes called the Egyptian lotus to make even more confusion , has many similarity with the lotus industrial plant , but they are discrete aquatic plants from different genuses .
Leaves
That sparse , almost papery pear-shaped leaf drift calmly on the water is almost certainly a Egyptian water lily because the piddle lily ’s leaves are thicker , waxy and have a characteristic mountain pass . The Egyptian water lily foliage can grow as large as 2 to 3 feet in diameter , or it can spring up on top of tall stalks , sometimes 5 foot above the pee .
Lotus Seeds
The white lily works has a ejaculate pod that remains seeable on the surface of the water after the lotus flower has faded , while the water lily wilts and disintegrate into the water .
The lotus seeds can last for years , even centuries .
Water Depth
The lotus is found only in shallow water , about 12 inches or so , while the water lily can grow in water up to 5 substructure inscrutable .
Types of Lotuses
There are two primary varieties of lotus plants . In addition to the sacred lotus , there is the American lotus ( Nelumbo lutea ) , aboriginal to North America , specifically Florida . This species is capable of growing at a deeper water story than the sacred lotus , sometimes even 6 feet rich .
The non - native miscellany — the sanctified lotus — is take invading in some sphere of the U.S. , although the American lotus is also a vigorous raiser .
How to Grow Lotus
Lotus flora require full sun and a lot of space . As apond plant , it take complete submersion below the water system surface to turn . While it prefers fresh water , it can manage brackish water as well .
The Nelumbo nucifera can be an aggressive grower , however , and in some areas , it is deal invasive . For this understanding , theUniversity of Florida IFAS Extensionrecommends growing it in a container , ideally shallow or blanket rather than magniloquent and narrow :
Tip
At first , you might call for to add together free weight to the container to check that it persist submerge , although it should retain its place underwater after the weewee has soaked into the grease .
After you see sprouts , you could move the container into a deeper area of the pool , up to 18 inches at most . habituate rock or bricks to elevate the container if your pool is deep than that .
