N.Amery Peony

How to Plant a Bowl Lotus

What You’ll Need:

* **Bowl or container** (12–18 inches wide, 6–10 inches deep, no drainage holes)
* **Lotus tuber**
* **Heavy loam soil** (or aquatic plant soil – avoid potting mix)
* **Water**
* Optional: **Aquatic fertilizer tablets** (after leaves appear)

1. **Choose the Right Container**

* Use a wide, shallow container without drainage holes.
* Ceramic or plastic bowls are popular.
* Dark-colored bowls help warm the water, promoting faster growth.

2. **Prepare the Soil**

* Use **heavy topsoil or loamy soil**, not potting mix or soil with perlite or bark.
* Fill the container with 3–4 inches of soil.
* Add a thin layer of sand on top (optional) to prevent the water from getting murky.

3. **Plant the Lotus Tuber**

* Gently rinse the tuber and check for healthy growing tips (they look like little eyes or buds).
* Lay the tuber on top of the soil horizontally.
* Lightly press it into the soil, covering only the roots and **NOT** the growing tips.
* Be gentle to avoid breaking the delicate shoots.

4. **Add Water**

* Slowly fill the container with **room temperature water** until there’s about 2–4 inches of water above the soil.
* Keep the container in a **sunny, warm location** (6–8 hours of sunlight daily).
* Water should be kept clean and warm, especially in the early growth stage.

5. **Care & Growth**

* Once leaves appear and float on the surface, you can start using **aquatic plant fertilizer tablets** monthly (push into soil away from tuber).
* Replace evaporated water with warm water (avoid cold tap water during early growth).
* Don’t let the water level drop below the soil surface.

Seasonal Notes

* **Spring**: Best time to plant.
* **Summer**: Flowering occurs.
* **Fall**: Leaves begin to yellow; reduce fertilizing.