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The idea of having a lotus flower in your home is quite appealing. It’s not that easy, but you can plant this beautiful flower in a pot.
Lotus flowers in your home – what you need to know
One of the biggest problems with keeping a lotus flower in your home is that it requires a relatively large amount of space. A small, standard plant pot will not be sufficient.
- The lotus flower is beautiful, but it needs a pot with a diameter of at least 60 centimeters. The height of the pot should be at least 70 centimeters. If you have the space, you can certainly keep a lotus flower in your home.
- It is also important that the pot is round. In a round pot, the lotus flower can continue to grow undisturbed at the edges. Corners, on the other hand, block the plant and cause the lotus flower to die. A mortar bucket, for example, is a suitable plant pot and can be purchased relatively inexpensively at any hardware store. In addition to being the right size, the pot should be dark so that it retains some heat. Your creativity is then called for when styling the mortar bucket or a suitable planter.
- In addition to the size and shape of the plant pot, the location is also important for successfully keeping the lotus flower in your home. For this reason, place this exotic beauty in a bright, sunny spot. The temperature should be between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius. The lotus plant is relatively undemanding in terms of care; you only need to provide the plant with a special fertilizer for water lilies during the growing season.
Lotus flower – how to grow it as a houseplant
Spring is the ideal time to try growing lotus flowers indoors, as the rhizomes are available from March to around mid-May. During this period, the lotus flower is in its annual dormant phase. It also provides the plant with optimal starting conditions. Alternatively, you can try your luck with lotus flower seeds.
- The lotus flower is relatively undemanding when it comes to soil. You can use soil from the garden or simply potting soil. It is best if the soil is slightly loamy. The plant does not tolerate organic additives such as compost, bark mulch, or peat well.
- First, fill the pot about 30 percent full with soil and mix in a special mineral fertilizer to help it get started. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the dosage. Then fill the pot another 30 percent full with soil, but without fertilizer. It is important that the sensitive rhizome does not come into contact with the fertilizer at first. The fast-growing roots will absorb the nutrients later.
- Next, add enough water to make the soil slightly muddy and then make a small furrow in which to place the rhizome. However, make sure that you do not cover the shoots. Finally, add about 15 centimeters of lukewarm water to the pot. In future, the water level must always be between 15 and 20 centimeters, except during winter dormancy.
- From May onwards, you can also place the lotus flower on the balcony or terrace. However, as soon as it gets cooler again, the plant must be brought back inside immediately. It must not be exposed to frost under any circumstances. During winter dormancy, place the lotus flower in a dark, cool location with a temperature between 7 and 10 degrees Celsius. Reduce the water level to about five to six centimeters and remove any parts of the plant that protrude above the water. Make sure that the water level is maintained even during the winter.
