Lotus – Growing Tips

Q: I have a friend with the nickname “Lotus”. I’d love to find lotus seed to place in an aquarium in her room so she can watch it bloom.

A: American lotus, Nelumbo lutea, grows fine outdoors in ponds and moist spots in metro Atlanta. However, I don’t think you can grow it indoors: there is too little light. The plant grows four to six feet tall. You could, however, grow it from seed in a shallow plastic tub outdoors. Buy seed online and vigorously scrape one end on a brick to remove some of the outer seed coat. Fill the tub halfway with clay soil and plant the seed an inch deep. Keep moist and round green leaves will soon emerge. I’d expect flowers next summer.