Lotus Vs. Water Lilies, What’s The Difference?

In the world of flowering aquatic plants, nothing beats a water lily or a lotus flower.

You probably are already aware of the similarities between water lilies and lotus plants, so let’s get down to the differences.

The biggest difference is that water lilies (Nymphaea species) leaves and flowers both float on the water’s surface while lotus (Nelumbo species) leaves and flowers are emergent, or rise above the water’s surface. There is one exception: tropical water lilies leaves float on the surface just like hardy lilies but their flowers rise above the surface of the water about 6-8 inches.

Both water lilies and lotus have dwarf varieties which are perfect for container patio ponds, and in some cases small enough for patio tabletop bowls.

A standard lotus will eventually grow to have it’s leaves and flowers 4-6 ft. above the water, maybe less in a container where their size is more controlled. Dwarf varieties will be just a few inches above the water.

Lotus plants will also need more fertilizer than water lilies.

There is a height and size difference also. A standard lotus flower is larger than a water lily flower, reaching up to one foot across (about 30.5 cm.). A full-sized lotus plant’s foliage and flowers can reach up to 60 inches (152 cm.) above the water.

Other Differences

Most varieties of water lily have to variegation or coloration besides green on their foliage but some do. Most ‘variegated’ varieties have green leaves mottled with a dark purple or are completely dark purple. Most are the tropical types of water lilies.

When it comes to lotus on the other hand, I don’t believe there are any variegated varieties, at least that I know of. So when it comes to color, it’s all in the flowers when growing lotus.

Some Varieties We Suggest

Hardy Water Lilies: (Nymphaea)

• Nymphea ‘Blue Aster’ is a standard sized water lily with light blue flowers and green and purple variegated foliage. A good choice for larger containers.
• Nymphea ‘Helvola’ is a day flowering miniature water lily with light yellow flowers.

Tropical Water Lilies:

• Nymphea ‘Tropic Sunset’ is a standard sized day blooming tropical water lily having red and green variegated leaves and flowers with bright yellow stamens and bright pink pedals.

Lotus: (Nelumbo)

• Nelumbo ‘Bali Red’ is a medium sized lotus plant that can reach 3-4 ft. out of the water and has beautiful flowers that range from pink to red.

Tips for Clear Pond Water

• Don't overfertilize plants; you'll feed the algae that turn pond water green.
• Don't overfeed the fish or have too many fish for the size of the pond.
• Remove decaying vegetation.
• Make sure 60 percent of the pond is shaded by lily pads or other plants.
• Keep water well-oxygenated with aerators, fountains, or waterfalls.
• Don't kill algae with chemical treatments; that will hurt plants, fish, and beneficial bacteria that live in the pond.

How to Winterize Water Lilies

Begin getting your hardy water lilies ready for winter by removing all dead and dying foliage. If the pond freezes solid in your climate or is drained for the winter, remove the lily, pot and all. Store the entire pot by keeping it cool and moist in a plastic bag. If you can't store the whole pot, remove and clean the growing tuber and store it in peat moss at 40 to 50 degrees F.

If the pond doesn't freeze solid, don't remove the pot. Simply lower it to the deepest part of the pond, where water will not freeze. In spring, bring the pot back to the proper growing level in the pond. If you've dug up and stored the tuber, repot as if it were a new plant.

How to Grow Water Lilies

The water lily emerges as the undisputed star of home water gardening. Learn how to grow water lilies of your own!

The water lily (Nymphaea) has been casting its spell on humans for thousands of years, enchanting even the earliest civilizations. This mysterious beauty rises from the deep, leaves floating serenely on the surface, exquisite blossoms appearing as if by magic. Once the province of grand palaces and public gardens, the water lily is finding its way to the home garden.

While water lilies appear delicate, don't let their exotic aura fool you. These flowers are as tough as they are beautiful. Water lilies grow well in any USDA hardiness zone.

All About Water Lilies

Water lilies can be grown in a tub on the patio or in ponds of any size. They grow from tubers planted in pots beneath the water and send up stems with rounded leaves and star-shaped blossoms that float on the surface. There are many different types of water lilies to choose from.

Hardy lilies are dependable and easy to plant—a good choice for the beginner. Daytime bloomers, they blossom in the morning and close after sunset, lasting three or four days before sinking beneath the surface. The flowers appear from spring to fall, blooming in all colours except blues and purples. Hardy water lilies go dormant in winter and may be left in the water or stored. Tropical water lilies, which bloom in more exotic colours, take a little more care but are well worth the effort. Their flowers are larger and more prolific. Night-blooming varieties have vibrant, almost electric colours. Tropical water lilies require a water temperature above 70 degrees F, and tubers must be removed from the pond in winter.

How to Plant Hardy Water Lilies

Whether you are planting in a container or in a pond, the water lily planting technique is the same. If you’re new to water lilies or short on space, try growing them in a container—it will feel more manageable than an entire pond of water lilies. Any type of water lily can be grown in a pot because they will only grow to be the size of the container they are in.

Editor's Tip: Keep aquatic plants contained in ponds and pots. In the wild, some can be invasive and compete with native plants.

Step 1: Select a Container

Use a container that is wide and shallow. A good size is 12 x 18 inches wide by 6 x 10 inches deep. The tuber, which is similar to the rhizome of an iris, grows horizontally. Containers may or may not have holes. If there are drainage holes, line the pot with burlap to keep the soil in the container. Soil that leaches out can cloud the water in your pond.

Step 2: Fill Container With Soil

Use a heavy soil intended for use in the garden, not a fluffy potting soil that will float out of the container. Avoid soil mixes with perlite, vermiculite, or peat for the same reason. Enrich the soil with aquatic fertilizer pellets made especially for the task. Push them into the soil before you plant.

Step 3: Clean Up Plants

Remove old leaves and thick, fleshy old roots—then, more of the plant's energy can go toward growing new roots, leaves, stems, and blooms. Leave only emerging leaves and buds and the newer, hair like roots.

Step 4: Plant Tubers

Plant the tuber against the side of the pot, with the growing tip pointing upward—about 45 degrees—and toward the centre of the pot.

Step 5: Add Gravel

Cover the soil with a layer of rock or pea gravel to keep the soil in the pot

Step 6: Lower Plant into Water

The planted pot should be lowered into the pond at an angle to allow air to escape. Set the base of the pot 12 x 18 inches deep. The leaves will float to the surface. If the pond is deeper than 18 inches and doesn't have built-in planting ledges, support the pot.

How to plant water lily in seeds

Step 1: Select right side of seeds  

there's two ends to the seeds. One is a dimple end the other is a nipple end. With your drill bit (SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY) Drill into the (DIMPLE) end of the seeds just enough to penetrate the outer hard shell of the seeds carefully not to hit the inner white meat of the seeds.

Step 2: Scoring the Seeds

one and only most difficult part of this stage is to score the seeds (opening one end of the seeds) I've seen people try many ways. I seen it been filed down, you can sand it down, cut it with a knife or blade. 

Step 3: Container, Water, and Temperature

I used a old glass pickle about 7 inch tall in length. I was told not to use tap water straight from the faucet. But I'm a rebel so I use it anyways because it was easy to control the temperature and more convenient since this is all taking place in my kitchen. Not burning hot water but warm safe to touch water is what you want.

Step 4: Temperature 

1. the temperature needs to be around 60 to 90 degrees for it to germinate 
2. the stove light can be very beneficial since California don't have any sun right now or else I would just leave it at the window 

Step 5: It's Like Caring for a Baby While You Watch It Grow

Watching it grow is the most precious thing you can possibly experience from growing a seed into a fully grown plant. But wait just like a baby it needs your caring for and attention. Twice a day the water needs changing (replace with warm water) when the sun do decide to play peek a boo with you take it outside try to feed it as much sunlight as possible at least 7 hours a day.

Step 6: They Grow Fast...

About a 1/2 inch a day once you see the first 

growth spurts. I eventually had to transfer them 

in to a glass water jug because you want them 

to be at least 6 in tall before you can pot them

(I'll have an instructables update on that too soon) 

stay tuned.

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Fertilization and Maintenance

1. • Aquatic fertilizers specify 1 tablet per 1 gallon (3.8 L) of soil, while other products recommend 2 to 4 tablets for the same amount of soil.
2. 
   
   
   Bring tropical lilies inside when the water temperature dips below 65 °F (18 °C). If your pond freezes solid, you’ll need to winterize hardy lilies inside, too. Store the pot in a large aquarium filled with water.

   • If you can't store the entire pot, trim the leaves and remove the rhizome, then apply a dusting of fungicide. Store the rhizome in a plastic bag filled with peat moss, and keep the bag in a cool, moist place, such as a basement.
   • If your pond is at least 18 inches (46 cm) deep and doesn’t completely freeze, you can winterize your hardy lilies outside. Place the pot in the deepest part of the pond, where it'll be protected from cold air.
3. 
   
   
   Divide an overgrown lily every 2 to 3 years.Eventually, the rhizome will start to crowd the pot, and you’ll need to divide it. In the spring, remove the rhizome, or root ball, from the pot and rinse away excess soil from the roots. Look for tuber-like shoots with distinct growing tips or emerging stems. Using a knife or pruning shears, cut the shoots and surrounding roots in lengths of at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) from the rest of the root ball.You’ll likely be able to divide the root ball into several shoots. Plant each shoot in a separate container, then place them in your pond or give them to a friend.

How to Grow Water Lilies

With striking flowers and leaves that float serenely, water lilies are enchanting plants. They’re easy to grow and care for, so turning your pond into a picturesque oasis won’t take much work. Plant water lilies in containers to control their growth, submerge the container in a pond or aquatic planter, and make sure they get plenty of sun. Trim old flowers and leaves to prevent rot, and divide your rapidly growing lilies every 2 to 3 years. With a little time and care, you'll have a gorgeous collection of water lilies year after year.

1

Plant water lilies in containers instead of directly in the ground. 

Use a wide, shallow pot or a mesh basket designed for aquatic planting. The container should have a diameter of 14 to 16 inches (36 to 41 cm).

• It’s easier to maintain potted lilies. Additionally, a lily planted directly into the ground could eventually overwhelm your pond. When planted in the ground, a water lily’s root system can cover a diameter of 15 feet (4.6 m) within 5 years.
• You can find aquatic plant necessities, including a mesh basket and aquatic soil, online, at your local garden center, or at a home improvement store.

2

Use an aquatic planter if you don’t have a pond. 

If you have one, you can plant lilies in your pond or backyard water feature. If not, purchase a large aquatic planter, fill it with water, and submerge the pot that holds the lily.

• Go for an aquatic planter that’s around 6 by 8 feet (1.8 by 2.4 m). Make sure it’s designed for aquatic plants and doesn’t have any drainage holes.

3

Ensure your pond or container gets at least 6 to 8 hours of full sun. 

While lilies need a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight, more light encourages them to produce more flowers. Ideally, your lilies should get at least 8 hours of sun.

4

Plant your lilies in the spring. 

Late April to early May is the best time to plant water lilies in the Northern Hemisphere. In cooler climates, plant when there’s no risk of frost.

• There are 2 varieties of water lily: hardy and tropical. As their name implies, hardy water lilies can tolerate cooler temperatures. You still need to plant them in the spring, but maintaining a high water temperature isn’t as important.

5

Make sure your pond is warm if you choose tropical lilies. 

Tropical species can’t tolerate water temperatures below 65 °F (18 °C), so make sure your pond or aquatic container can sustain warm water before planting. Ideally, your water should be at least 70 °F (21 °C).

6

Purchase lilies with healthy crowns and leaves. 

You can find water lilies at your local nursery or garden center, or you could ask a friend with lilies for clippings. Look for plants with healthy crowns, or the part where the stems meet the roots. Check for stems that easily pull away from the crown, and look for yellow, curling, or damaged leaves.

• An unhealthy crown and yellow leaves are signs of crown rot. It’s an incurable fungal infection, and is one of the only health issues that affect water lilies.