Hydroponic Dwarf Lotus: Growing Bowl Lotus in Patio Tubs
A hydroponic dwarf lotus is a small lotus grown in a tub or bowl of water instead of a pond. The rhizome roots in a pot of soil under the water while the leaves plus flowers rise above it.
The short answer
UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions notes dwarf lotus cultivars suit smaller water gardens. Plant the rhizome in garden soil, cap it with sand or gravel plus lower the pot into 6 inches of water until growth begins. Lotus needs full sun. Each flower opens for about three days.
What makes a lotus a dwarf or bowl lotus?
UF/IFAS describes two lotus species in gardens. Sacred lotus, Nelumbo nucifera, is non native in Florida and very aggressive. American lotus, Nelumbo lutea, is native with yellow flowers. Both grow large, so UF/IFAS names dwarf cultivars as the choice for a small water garden.
Per UF/IFAS, most types still need plenty of space plus a full sun spot to thrive.
How do you plant a lotus rhizome in a tub?
The UF/IFAS sacred lotus fact sheet gives the steps. Fill a container with garden soil or potting mix. Place a small bag of sand in the bottom so the pot does not float. Plant the rhizome at the edge of the pot so it can grow across the top. Add a 1 or 2 inch layer of sand or gravel over the soil.
Lower the pot into 6 inches of water until growth begins. UF/IFAS notes the pot can later sit with its base no more than 18 inches below the surface. A brick or block lifts it in a deep tub.
| Factor | Target | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Starting water depth | 6 inches over the pot | UF/IFAS |
| Later depth | Pot base 18 inches down or less | UF/IFAS |
| Soil cap | 1 or 2 inches of sand or gravel | UF/IFAS |
| Light | Full sun | UF/IFAS |
| Bloom life | About three days per flower | NC State |
Source: UF/IFAS Extension plus NC State Extension.
Do lotus flowers open every day?
NC State Extension notes each lotus flower blooms for about three days. It opens each morning and closes at night. Sacred lotus flowers are pink or white. American lotus flowers are pale yellow and bloom from June to September.
How do you hold lotus over winter?
NC State lists both sacred lotus plus American lotus as hardy in USDA Zones 4a to 10b. In fall it advises moving pots under less than 6 inches of water into deeper water or indoors.
How to: step by step
- Choose a wide, solid tub with no drain holes.
- Weight the planting pot with a small bag of sand.
- Plant the rhizome at the pot edge in garden soil.
- Cap the soil with 1 or 2 inches of sand or gravel.
- Set the pot under 6 inches of water in full sun.
- Lower it as leaves grow, no deeper than 18 inches.
Troubleshooting
No flowers: too little sun. Move the tub to full sun.
Pot floats up: a light pot. Add a bag of sand to the bottom.
Rhizome lost in winter: shallow water. Move the pot into deeper water or indoors in fall.
UF/IFAS notes a container lets you enjoy lotus without it spreading in a pond or lake. Never place plants in natural waterways.
For more on root media see hydroponic in different mediums. Read caring for your hydroponic system for system care. See aquarium water for cannabis plus pond water for cannabis for related water notes. Kind Seed Co also stocks cannabis seeds.
Sources
- Nelumbo nucifera, lotus (FP424), UF/IFAS Extension
- Lotus, UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions
- Nelumbo nucifera (sacred lotus), NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Nelumbo lutea (American lotus), NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
FAQ
Do lotus need full sun?
UF/IFAS Extension notes most lotus types need plenty of space plus a full sun location to thrive. NC State Extension also lists full sun for sacred lotus.
Do bowl lotus flowers open every day?
NC State Extension notes each lotus flower lasts about three days. It opens in the morning and closes at night, then the petals fall and the seed pod forms in the center.
Can lotus stay outside in winter?
NC State lists lotus as hardy in USDA Zones 4a to 10b. It advises moving pots in less than 6 inches of water into deeper water or indoors in fall so the rhizome does not freeze.
Does lotus need fertilizer in a tub?
UF/IFAS Extension advises mixing fertilizer into the soil at planting to help start growth. Its sacred lotus sheet gives about one quarter cup of balanced fertilizer per gallon of soil.
Will lotus spread out of a tub?
UF/IFAS notes sacred lotus is very aggressive in ponds and lakes. Growing it in a container lets you enjoy the plant without it spreading. American lotus is less aggressive but also suits a pot.
