Did you know that there are more than 150 species of lotus in the world?
Few of us have seen more than a handful up close, meaning there are probably plenty of species you don’t even know exist!
The lotus has something truly special to offer in every environment it grows in. So, today, we’re going to introduce you to 5 stunning varieties of lotus you may not be aware of.
Bold, fragrant, and sometimes short blooming, you may need a sharp eye to spot these varieties growing in the wild!
1. Momo Botan
The Momo Botan, formally called Nelumbo Nucifera, is a type of aquatic plant belonging to the Nelumbonaceae family. This lotus is native to Southeast Asia but is often cultivated throughout the world.
Although this lotus grows in many areas in the wild, it can also make a beautiful addition to any garden or body of water.
This lotus is celebrated for its stunning, pink blooms and it grows in ponds, marshes, and other areas of shallow water. To thrive, this lotus needs a warm climate and plenty of sun, and its waters should be rich in nutrients.
You’ll often see this lotus growing throughout zones 5-0, however, it can survive in colder areas if the tubular is protected from freezing conditions during the winter.
This aquatic perennial lotus has leaves and flowers that grow from its large tuber that sits underwater. It has distinctive green, circular leaves that can reach diameters of around 2 feet!
However, its flowers are its most notable feature; they’re pink, fragrant, and can have as many as 26 petals per bloom. These flowers can grow to around 10 inches in diameter and will bloom from mid-summer to the early fall.
If you want to grow this lotus yourself, you’ll need a shallow body of water (such as a pond), and soil that’s rich in nutrients. Ideally, the tubular should be planted around 2-3 inches deep, and be covered by several inches of soil.
Remember to give this lotus access to full sun, and keep it regularly fertilized during the growing season.
This stunning aquatic plant may not be the most common, but it’s a true delight. Whether you spot it in the wild or grow it in your own garden, it makes a beautiful addition to almost any landscape.
2. Sacred Lotus
Next up, we have the sacred lotus. The sacred lotus, or Nelumbo nucifera, Indian lotus or simply ‘lotus’, is one of the most precious lotus’ of all.
This lotus is seen universally as a symbol of enlightenment and rebirth throughout many cultures, and this aquatic lotus is native to China and India.
This stunning lotus will thrive with access to muddy, wet habitats, including lakes, rivers, and ponds. With the right conditions, it can reach heights of up to 6ft, and its large, bold leaves have a spread of around 2 inches in diameter.
This lotus is celebrated for its delicate petals that appear in white, yellow or pink, and it has a unique central pod that contains all of the lotus seeds.
This particular variety usually blooms between June and September, and each precious flower will only last for a few days, so you’ll need to act fast to catch a glimpse of this unique flower!
This lotus can be found in zones 4-10, but it will need warm and sunny conditions to thrive.
If you’re planting this lotus yourself, you should plant it in a warm, sunny location in the springtime, and ensure it has access to fertile soil and a pond or container with at least 2 ft of water.
This lotus is also famous for its medicinal properties and has been used for centuries to treat anxiety and digestive issues. Some even use the leaves and seeds in herbal tea! This lotus is hard to spot, but it’s one you won’t want to miss.
3. American Lotus
The American lotus or Nelumbo lutea is a type of perennial aquatic plant that grows throughout North America.
This aquatic lotus is usually seen in lakes, freshwater ponds, and other shallow bodies of water, and sometimes, it even grows in the eastern and central United States.
This beautiful lotus has a notoriously deep-rooted rhizome system, and it has broad, large leaves with a spread of 2 inches in diameter. Its larger leaves are often round with a small notch near the base, and they’re a vibrant green coloring.
This lotus also generates eye-catching, yellow flowers that are wonderfully fragrant and can bloom between July and August. Once the flowers bloom, the lotus will start to produce seed pods.
This lotus is seen growing in zones 4-11, and it will need slow-moving water and sunny conditions to thrive. This lotus grows in alkaline and acidic soil types, however, it will prefer to establish itself in rich soil.
Many people choose to grow this lotus ornamentally due to its striking flowers.
If you want to grow this lotus yourself, you’ll need at least 18 inches of fertile soil and access to full sun. This lotus cannot survive in cold water, so be sure to provide warm temperatures.
When grown ornamentally, this lotus will need regular pruning, but it can make a true statement piece in any water garden!
4. Frankly Scarlet Lotus
Next on our list is the Frankly Scarlet Lotus. The Frankly Scarlet lotus, sometimes just called ‘Frankly Scarlet’, is one of the most vivid lotus flowers of all.
This beautiful aquatic lotus is known for its bright red flowers that come into bloom throughout the summer.
The Frankly Scarlet lotus is thought to be native to Asia, however, it can be found growing in other places including Japan, China, and India.
This vivid lotus loves to grow in bodies of shallow water such as lakes and ponds, which can also make it a great ornamental addition to water gardens.
This type of lotus will do best with access to full sun, however, it’s notoriously hardy and can tolerate a variety of temperatures.
You’ll usually find Frankly Scarlet growing in zones 4-11, and when mature, it can reach heights of between 3-5 feet. Although its striking, red colors are its most famous feature, this lotus also has large green leaves with a spread of around 18 inches.
These grow from a stem that can reach heights of 6ft. The red flowers are the most captivating quality of this lotus, and they have a typical spread of 8 inches.
Planting this lotus can be difficult. We’d recommend starting by planting the tuber in a shallow body of water during the spring, and ensure access to full sunlight.
This lotus should also be fertilized regularly while growing to encourage a hardy, robust lotus. Remember to trim any dead flowers to promote new growth, too.
5. Green Maiden Lotus
Last up, we have the Green Maiden Lotus. The Green Maiden, sometimes called Nelumbo ‘Green Maiden’, is a type of early blooming lotus that can appear in a variety of pastel shades, usually with distinctive green undertones.
Pinks, creams, and greens are the most common shades of the Green Maiden.
This aquatic water lotus is native to Asia and also grows in other bodies of water in India, Japan, China, and even southeast Asia. The Green Maiden is a perennial that grows up to 5ft tall, with an average spread of approximately 10ft.
This beautiful, robust lotus has an extremely sturdy stem that produces some stunning flowers. The Green Maiden flowers are often a light green (hence the name), and can grow to around 10 inches in diameter.
The Green Maiden is a fragrant variety that’s particularly attractive to pollinators and looks beautiful in almost any environment.
This lotus will need warm and sunny conditions to grow in, and ideally, shallow water. It’s often seen in hardiness zones 5-10, and if you’re growing it ornamentally, it will need regular watering.
These varieties also need to be planted in a large pond or container that should have a minimum depth of 12 inches.
To grow this lotus yourself, give it access to around 4-6 inches of soil, and full sun. The tubular should be covered with an extra layer of 2 inches of soil.
This lotus should also be fertilized regularly while growing to encourage the healthiest possible growth.
This striking lotus is another rarer variety that makes a statement in the wild, or as an ornamental feature. With the right care and attention, this lotus can survive for years!
The Bottom Line
The lotus is one of the world’s most famous plants. There are thought to be over 150 species of lotus, and they grow in all corners of the world. Although we see some varieties pretty often, others are harder to spot.
There are some you may have never even heard of!
If you’re looking to boost your lotus knowledge, we hope this article has introduced you to some beautiful, lesser-known species that can be spotted in the wild, or even grown ornamentally in the right conditions!
I love sharing my experiences with individuals in this community, and I enjoy sharing some of the best tips I have learned over the years caring for my own garden at home.
In my articles, you will find the best flowers, most fragrant flowers you can plant in your garden, how to care for your favorite plants, informative guides and how-tos so you can have the best backyard in town!
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