Pink Lotus, also called کنول, produces fragrant pink flowers held above the water on upright stems. Its rounded green leaves create a lush backdrop for the blooms, making it an attractive choice for sunny ponds, courtyard water gardens and spacious watertight tubs.

Native to Asia, Lotus is an aquatic perennial that grows from spreading underground stems called rhizomes. Its roots need submerged soil, and established plants can return for several seasons with suitable care.

Why Gardeners Love It

• Pink Flowers: Adds soft colour to a sunny water garden.
• Fragrant Blooms: The flowers have a pleasant fragrance.
• Decorative Leaves: Rounded green leaves remain attractive between flowers.
• Container Growing: Can be grown in a wide watertight tub.
• Distinctive Seedheads: Mature seedheads can be dried for flower arrangements.
• Seed Quality: Germination-tested lotus seeds with a high germination rate.

Best Conditions

• Germination: Usually 3–10 days after preparing the hard seed coat
• Germination temperature: Around 25–30°C
• Sunlight: At least 6 hours of direct sunlight
• Container: A wide, watertight tub without drainage holes
• Container size: Around 20–24 inches wide or larger for established growth
• Soil: Heavy garden loam or clay-based aquatic planting soil
• Starting water depth: Around 2 inches above the soil after planting seedlings
• Flowering season: During warm weather
• First flowers: Often in the second growing season; timing varies

Sowing note: Suggested starting periods are March to May in Lahore and Faisalabad, April to June in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and February to April in Karachi and southern Punjab. In colder northern and hilly areas, start around May to June. Adjust these timings so the germination water stays around 25°C and young plants have several warm months to establish.

How to Sow

1. File a small spot on the hard seed coat until the cream-coloured layer appears, without damaging the inner seed.
2. Place the prepared seeds in a clear container of clean water, kept around 25–30°C in a bright location.
3. Change the water daily, pouring gently around the seeds to avoid damaging or detaching their developing shoots.
4. Add heavy garden soil to a wide, watertight tub, then cover it with around 2 inches of water.
5. Once roots and leaves appear, gently settle each seed into a shallow soil depression, leaving its shoots uncovered.
6. Gradually introduce the seedlings to direct sunshine, topping up the water as needed to keep the soil submerged.

Plant Care

Maintain the water level by topping up gently as it evaporates. Keep the soil submerged and remove fallen petals or decaying leaves before they accumulate. Avoid disturbing the developing rhizomes, as their growing tips are fragile. Check the leaves for aphids and remove small infestations by hand.

Begin feeding after the plant develops several leaves held above the water. Use aquatic plant fertilizer tablets at the label rate, placing them in the soil away from young roots and growing tips. Heavy soil supports the roots well; lightweight potting mixes containing peat, bark or perlite can float into the water.

Local Gardener Tips

• Keep small germination containers protected from scorching afternoon heat.
• Place the growing tub where it receives direct sunshine and shelter from strong winds.
• Start early enough to give seedlings a long warm growing season.
• Allow room for the leaves to spread beyond the container.

Flowering and Display

Young plants usually spend their first season developing leaves and rhizomes. Some may flower during that season in favourable conditions, but flowering from seed commonly begins in the second growing season.

Individual flowers generally open in the morning and close later in the day, lasting around three days. After the petals fall, a distinctive seedhead remains. Leave selected seedheads to mature if you want to use them in dried arrangements.

FAQs

Why are the first leaves floating on the water?

This is normal. Young Lotus plants produce small floating leaves before developing stronger stems that hold later leaves above the surface.

Will Lotus survive winter in Pakistan?

Established plants may become dormant and lose their leaves during colder weather. Keep the rhizomes from drying out or freezing. In areas with severe frost, move container-grown plants to a protected, frost-free location until spring growth resumes.

How can I prevent mosquitoes in the water container?

Check regularly for mosquito larvae. If treatment is needed, use a Bti mosquito-control product labelled for ornamental ponds or water containers, following its directions. Removing decaying plant material also helps keep the container maintained.

Common names: Pink Lotus, Nelumbo nucifera, Sacred Lotus, Indian Lotus, Kanwal, کنول