Lotus – Winter Care

Q: I have a lotus plant in a large pot filled with water. What should I do now that winter is coming?

A: Most folks just wait until frost nips the leaves and then clip the stems a couple of inches above the water line. Lotus can tolerate being in cold water in winter but can’t take being frozen solid. One expert digs a hole deep enough to accept his lotus pot but leaves the rim two inches above the surrounding soil. This protects the roots from freezing but allows winter rain to keep the lotus wet.