Water
Nelumbo lutea requires consistently moist to submerged conditions. Water should cover the rhizome by 15-60 cm, and the plant should be in a pond or large container with standing water. Avoid letting the soil dry out.
Also known as American Lotus · American Yellow Lotus · Lotus
Yellow Lotus (Nelumbo lutea) is a large aquatic perennial with showy yellow flowers and distinctive seed pods, native to North America.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Requires full sun.
100% intensity
At least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Keep consistently moist to submerged.
100% intensity
Maintain 15-60 cm of water above the rhizome.
Heavy clay or loam, rich in organic matter, placed at the bottom of ponds or containers.
50% intensity
Prefers warm temperatures.
70% intensity
Ideal growing range 18-25 °C.
Outdoor, Aquatic
50% intensity
Feed during growing season.
50% intensity
Use aquatic fertilizer tabs in spring and mid-summer.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | Yes |
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Nelumbo lutea requires consistently moist to submerged conditions. Water should cover the rhizome by 15-60 cm, and the plant should be in a pond or large container with standing water. Avoid letting the soil dry out.
Remove spent flowers and yellowing leaves to maintain appearance and direct energy to rhizome growth. Pruning is generally minimal, focusing on tidiness.
Avoid cutting healthy foliage unless necessary for disease control.
Easily propagated from seeds, which require scarification and warm water soaking before planting. Division of rhizomes in spring is the most common and effective method for established plants.
Repotting is typically done every 2-3 years in spring, usually when the plant outgrows its container or becomes pot-bound. Use a large, deep container with heavy soil and ensure the rhizomes are not damaged.
Identify plants like this with ePlant AI
Snap a photo to get care tips and match similar species on the go.
Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Yellow Lotus (Nelumbo lutea)
Where Yellow Lotus (Nelumbo lutea) is found
Density
Tap map to explore
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Proteales |
| Family | Nelumbonaceae |
| Genus | Nelumbo |
| Species | Nelumbo lutea |
Similar in genus Nelumbo
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
