American Lotus (Nelumbo lutea)

Fragrant, showy flowers and huge (up to 2' across), round leaves make American lotus a very attractive plant.  It is a pond plant and prefers to grow in about 3 feet of water.  However, its long-lived seeds and creeping rhizomes make it terribly aggressive in shallow ponds.  Some studies have shown that it can spread nearly 70 feet in a year.  We recommend growing them in large containers and overwintering them indoors.

This fascinating plant has a long history. Every bit of it is edible (though it can be bitter if uncooked), and Native Americans relied on the starchy roots to help sustain them over winter.  The seeds have been shown to germinate after hundreds of years lying dormant in the ground.

Uses:  Artificial ponds, edible, pollinators, dried flower arrangements, wildlife
Bloom time:  July - September

Sun:  Full sun to light shade
Moisture:  Grows in water up to 6' deep

Seed:  The seeds germinate readily after they have been scarified.  There are about 25 marble sized seeds per ounce.