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Do you have visions of a calm interior setting that incorporates the beauty of nature? The lotus flower, which has long been prized for its beauty and meaning, may be grown indoors as well as outdoors in ponds and gardens. You can create a blossoming sanctuary on a sunny windowsill or balcony with a few simple supplies and a little perseverance. Even if you have never gardened before, we will show you how to plant and maintain lotus flowers indoors in 5 easy steps.
Step 1: Choose the Right Container
Choosing the right container is the first and most crucial step in cultivating lotus flowers indoors. Lotus flowers, in contrast to conventional houseplants, are aquatic and need a certain environment to flourish. Start by selecting a broad, shallow, and robust container, preferably one that is 6 to 10 inches deep and at least 12 to 18 inches in diameter. Because lotus roots, also known as rhizomes or tubers, expand horizontally rather than vertically, breadth is very crucial. They may expand in a broad container without feeling crowded or under pressure.
The kind of container you choose is equally crucial. Lotus plants require constant watering, so steer clear of pots with drainage holes. A leaking pot can upset the delicate balance required for lotus growing and will not hold water effectively. Seek out containers with good moisture retention, such as those made of ceramic, plastic, or glazed clay. Even an old bowl or a watertight basin can be used, provided it fits the dimensions and depth specifications.
Before planting, add heavy topsoil or clay-rich garden soil to your container until it is roughly two-thirds full. Commercial potting mixes are too light and could float or cloud the water, so stay away from them. The lotus tuber is firmly anchored by a thick, heavy soil that also supplies vital nutrients in the early stages of growth.
Step 2: Prepare and Plant the Lotus Tuber
When your container is prepared, it is time to present the lotus tuber, the main attraction. Consider this to be the root that resembles a seed and will grow into your lotus. A good tuber should be solid, plump, and have obvious growth ends, or “eyes” (tiny, pointed shoots). Pick one from a reliable garden provider. Steer clear of damaged, rotten, or shriveled tubers as they are unlikely to flourish.
Treat the tuber with care. Because they are fragile, lotus tubers are prone to breaking, particularly at the tips. Rinse the tuber in lukewarm water to get rid of any debris before planting. Next, dig a shallow trench or groove in the earth inside the container you have created.
With the growth points pointing slightly upward, place the tuber horizontally on top of the dirt. To anchor the tuber, gently press its center into the ground, leaving the tips visible above the ground. The tuber may decay if it is buried whole, particularly in warm, humid weather.
Avoid breaking or pushing the tuber into place while planting; if it resists, gently move the soil around it. Within a few weeks after it has settled, the tuber will start to send out roots into the ground and leaves toward the water’s surface.
Step 3: Add Water Slowly and Carefully
After the lotus tuber has been firmly planted in the ground, you must carefully add water. Although lotus plants are naturally aquatic, newly planted tubers are particularly vulnerable. When water is added too rapidly or too firmly, the tuber may get dislodged or the fragile developing tips may be buried, which may cause rot or inhibit the plant’s growth.
Fill the container with dechlorinated water at room temperature. For optimal effects, use distilled water or, if using tap water, leave it uncovered for 24 to 48 hours to allow the chlorine to dissipate. Water should be carefully poured into the container along the edge rather than directly on top of the soil or tuber. By doing this, the soil is kept from being agitated and drifting around the container.
Just enough water should be added to the tuber to cover it by two to four inches above the soil line. The water depth is crucial at this early stage; if it is too deep, the tuber may rot, and if it is too shallow, it may dry up. You can progressively raise the water level to around 6 inches as the lotus plant develops and produces leaves.
Check the water level every day. Water can evaporate rapidly inside, particularly in the presence of heaters or sunlight. The best conditions for your lotus to start its upward voyage are quiet and balanced, which can be achieved by maintaining a steady, mild water depth.
Step 4: Give It Plenty of Sunlight
Lotus flowers naturally worship the sun. Your plant needs at least six hours of bright, direct sunshine per day to thrive and blossom inside. Your lotus will not be able to grow leaves without this vital light, and it might never blossom.
A south-facing window is the ideal location for your container because it allows the plant to receive the most natural light. Use a grow light as a supplement if there is little natural sunshine, particularly during the winter or in houses with shady windows. A full-spectrum LED grow light that replicates sunshine should be chosen and placed 6 to 12 inches above the plant. To replicate the extended daylight hours that lotus plants are accustomed to in the wild, leave it on for 12 to 14 hours each day.
Watch how the plant reacts. Healthy lotus leaves will face the light source and rise above the water. The leaves are not getting enough light if they remain tiny or remain flat on the water for an extended period of time. If so, modify the lighting schedule or plant’s location appropriately.
Lotuses like temperatures over 75°F (24°C), so make sure your indoor space is warm and draft-free. The plant may be shocked by cold air from open windows or air conditioner vents, which will limit its growth.
For a lotus, light is more than simply fuel; it is life. Your plant will soon be yearning for the light if it receives the proper amount of exposure.
Step 5: Maintain and Watch It Grow
The last stage is regular care and maintenance, which is essential to ensuring your lotus thrives indoors after it has been planted, watered, and exposed to sunshine.
First, keep an eye on the water quality every day. Always use distilled or dechlorinated water for lotus plants because they are sensitive to pollutants like fluoride and chlorine. Depending on the size of your plant, keep the water level between two and six inches above the ground. Keep the water clean and topped off. Steer clear of disturbing the soil as this may create root disturbance or cloud the water.
Next, keep an eye out for fresh growth. Coin-shaped leaves, sometimes known as “aerial leaves,” should appear and rise above the water in a few weeks. Your lotus is prepared for its first feeding after it has grown at least four or six leaves. Make use of an aquatic plant fertilizer, either liquid or tablet, that is designed especially for water plants. Apply sparingly at first, as directed on the packaging. Young roots can be burned by premature overfertilization.
Maintain a steady atmosphere for your lotus: one that is warm, light, and free from disturbances. Keep it away from chilly winds, air conditioner vents, and nosy animals. Continue to feed it once a month and trim any yellowing leaves during the active growing season, which runs from spring to early fall.
With consistent attention, you can soon appreciate the rich foliage of lotus plants—and, if you are lucky, a delicate, ethereal bloom that rises above the water.
Final Though
The process of cultivating lotus flowers indoors is gratifying and involves patience, attention to detail, and a little bit of the wonders of nature. You can create a tranquil, green haven within your home by following these five easy steps, which include selecting the ideal container and providing your plant with water, light, and love. The delicate blooms and vivid leaves of the lotus will inspire a sense of peace and beauty in your home, regardless of your level of gardening experience. Why wait, then? Launch your indoor lotus garden now, and see how each elegant leaf and blooming flower changes your area.
