Lotus

It is possible to grow certain lotus varieties outdoors all year in the UK, particularly in the south. We have been growing them outside here in East Anglia totally unprotected since 1998, and after trialling many varieties, we discovered three that reliably grow and flower in our climate. All the tubers we sell are our own, grown here on our nursery.

However, they do have very specific requirements. 

Climate and siting: The main challenge with growing lotuses in the UK is our lack of summer warmth, not our winter cold. Lotuses tolerate frost and ice well, but they need a long, warm summer to flower and to form tubers for the following year.

Lotuses are unlikely to succeed if:

- You are north of a line from the Severn Estuary to The Wash

- Your garden is very close to the coast, reducing summer temperatures

- You are at a higher altitude, reducing summer temperatures

Even in suitable areas, lotuses should be grown:

- In full sun (at least 6 hours per day of direct sunlight from April to September)

- In a very warm, sheltered spot

A south-facing, sheltered position - similar to where you would grow outdoor tomatoes - is ideal.

If your garden doesn't have anywhere suitable or you're too far north, you can grow them in a well-lit unheated polytunnel or greenhouse, to produce the high summer temperatures they need. Temperatures should not exceed 35°C.

You can also grow them in a polytunnel or greenhouse for most of the year, to benefit from the higher temperatures, and then bring them outside at the height of summer. This approach has been used successfully at an RHS garden in northern England using lotuses supplied by us, although we do not use this method ourselves.

Growing containers: Lotuses must be grown in large, round, solid containers. The growing points can be damaged by growing into the corners of square pots or getting stuck in the holes of mesh aquatic baskets, and they also need a lot of space to spread out.

Minimum recommended size:

45 - 90cm (18 - 36 inches) diameter

At least 15cm (6 inches) deep

Black containers are best, as they absorb sunlight and heat.

Many people choose to plant their lotus directly into a very large watertight pot which effectively acts as a small self-contained pond. This warms up more quickly in the daytime than a traditional pond would.

Handling and planting: Lotus tubers are extremely brittle, especially around the growing points (the 'joints' where the shoots emerge). Unwrap and handle them with great care. A tuber that snaps once may survive, but repeated damage usually causes it to fail.

Plant in heavy clay loam or, if this is not available, shop-bought aquatic soil. Place the tuber horizontally just under the soil with the tops of the shoots poking out. Then add 5cm (2 inches) of water over the soil and no more - the plants need as much sun and warmth as possible.

Once emergent leaves appear, push slow-release fertiliser tablets into the soil beneath the tuber (we supply these).

Flowers appear July to September, depending on summer warmth. In a cool summer the plant may not flower at all; in a hot summer it will flower more and earlier. 

In winter, leave the tuber where it is. It does not need extra protection from frost nor to come into a greenhouse or garage.

 

Availability and ordering: Lotus tubers can only be shipped during a short window in spring, just before they begin to grow. This is usually a three- to four-week period between mid-February and mid-April, depending on the weather.

We usually have more people wanting lotus tubers than we are able to supply. If you would like to buy one, the best approach is to join the waiting list using the notification link on each plant's page. We will contact people in order, starting with those who have been waiting the longest.