How to Grow a Bowl Lotus/Water Lily from Seed?

So you’ve been to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, you’ve delighted in the fragrant and showy blooms of the lotus, and now you’re at home, wishing you had a piece of that paradise to enjoy every day. Well, this post is for you. If you’ve got a sunny spot, a large pot, and a handful of lotus seeds, you can grow your very own mini oasis of lotus with these instructions below. We’re going to teach you, step by step, how to prepare and grow your own lotus from seed! 

Growing water lilies is a rewarding experience because these beautiful aquatic plants are relatively easy to grow and maintain. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you successfully grow and care for water lilies:
We are providing you with water lilies seeds from Cocoseeds. These are tall, pale pink flowers with large, fan-shaped leaves that rise out of the water. It is an ancient flower native to a wide area of ​​Asia and is beloved by many Asian cultures as a symbol of purity, peace, and fortitude.

Supplies
Luckily, the lotus is easy to grow as long as the very few requirements it needs to grow are met. You only need a few things to get started:
A sunny location. Lotuses prefer full sun and need at least 6 hours of light per day.
A warm location. Lotuses grow well in water temperatures between 75 and 87 degrees Fahrenheit.
A large, deep pot without holes in the bottom. Try to get a pot that is at least 12 inches deep and 24 inches wide.
Some sand and soil. We recommend using a clay-rich soil instead of regular potting soil because clay will float on top of water. Prepare enough soil to fill 3-5 inches of your pot or pond.
A small cup for germination.
A knife or file for preparing the seeds.
Use a water-based fertilizer if desired. A 10-14-8 water-based fertilizer works best.

Preparing the Seeds
Lotus seeds should be dark brown and hard, about the size of a small acorn. This dark brown protective layer keeps the seeds dormant for many years (scientists have germinated lotus seeds from over 1,000 years ago!). This outer layer must be filed off or the seed carefully cut open until the creamy outer layer is visible so that water can penetrate and activate the seed.
Germinate the seeds in warm water in a clear container and place on a sunny windowsill. Keeping the water warm and clean will ensure that the seeds germinate quickly. If the water is cloudy, change the water to prevent bacterial growth. After about a week, you should see the seeds sprout.
When the stems of the sprouting seeds are about four inches long, you can place them in a shallow bowl with a few inches of soil mix and more warm water. Once the plant is established in the shallow bowl, it's time to transplant it into a pot!

Planting
Lotus thrives in warm water, but it needs room to grow, so finding the right pot is key to success. We recommend a minimum container of no less than 12 inches deep and 24 inches wide for lotus. Good soil is essential to ensure your new lotus roots thrive and don't rot! Be sure to use a mix that's rich in sand and clay and low in organic matter. Regular potting soil is rich in organic matter and will float to the top of your pot or pond instead of settling to the bottom.

When your lotus has a few leaves and is growing healthy tubers, it's time to move your little lotus to their final home! Spread a 3-5 inch layer of soil mix on the bottom of the container and plant your lotus tuber into the soil. Add warm water to just cover the leaves! As the lotus leaves grow, you can slowly add water until they grow to the top of the pot. Be sure to check frequently to make sure the water level doesn't drop too much due to evaporation.

Then it's just a matter of time! Once your lotus has grown above-ground leaves (i.e. above the water), your plant is beginning to mature! It will bloom in its second year of growth, and you can enjoy your little oasis in your backyard or on your porch!

Other Tips and Recommendations

Growing lotus can be an absolute pleasure but does come with a few tricky spots. Here are some recommendations and reassurances to help guide you through the growing process.

In the first year of growing your lotus, it’s normal only to have the leaves, as the plant is busy establishing those tubers. Expect beautiful blooms next year! If growing lotus from tubers, you should expect flowers in your first year.
You may notice your leaves turning yellow and wilting in after a growth spurt in your plant. Have no fear! Your lotus is going temporarily dormant to thicken up the tubers. After they have grown sufficiently, the leaves will begin to grow again.
Fertilizing your lotus after a few leaves are aerial (i.e., no longer sitting on top of the water) can help boost your plants. A 10-14-8 aquatic fertilizer is typically best.
Overwintering your lotus can be aided by taking your pot inside during the coldest months. Lotus grow back easier when the water does not freeze over completely.
It’s essential to consider the temperature of the location you live in to ensure you’re starting your seeds late enough to have warm weather outdoors constantly. Typically, the mid and northern United States can start their lotus seeds by May and be able to plant outdoors in pots and ponds by mid-June. Southern US can begin seeds in April, typically.
*Note, it is against National park Service rules to take anything from the park! Please purchase your lotus seeds from Friends to support this park or source your seeds from an online retailer.