GREEN MAIDEN
Product Description:
Nelumbo nucifera Green Maiden lotus is a charming dwarf variety known for its unique blooms, which change from pink to cream to white, developing a soft green hue as the petals mature. The semi-double blossoms reach up to 3 inches across. Plants grow 1–3 feet tall, while the rhizomes remain compact, staying under 2 feet. A subtle green undertone in the petals—visible in certain lighting—gives the plant its distinctive name. Hardy in zones 4-11.
Lotuses are aquatic plants with thick, fleshy rhizomes that thrive in muddy conditions. They produce large, umbrella-like leaves on stalks that rise above the water. The leaves move through the day tracking the course of the sun, and in the morning, they often glisten with silver droplets of dew, resembling liquid mercury. They are best known for their iconic flowers depicted globally in art and literature, revered for their size and timeless beauty. Long-lived and well-suited to shallow, still waters, they can withstand freezing temperatures and provide year-round interest to any patio water garden, wine barrel, or outdoor tub.
Ships FREE! Lotus rhizomes are shipped bare root. Available for a limited time and will ship in July. Order early for best availability. Available only within the contiguous US. Other items in cart may incur shipping cost.
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Key Features:
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Key Features:
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Initial Instructions
Please handle carefully. You are receiving a bare root rhizome. This rhizome has a distinct growing tip as well as an air tube. Once received, it should be placed in soil within a container—preferably 2 to 3 gallons in size and either filled with or submerged in water.
1. Start by placing a few inches of gravel, sand, and clay soil in the bottom of the container.
2. Gently coil the rhizome around the bottom of the pot, being careful not to damage the growing tip. Locate the air tube (it resembles a straw and points upward) and guide it so that it is oriented toward the surface. Cover the rhizome with about 2–3 inches of clay loam soil. Gently shift or tap the pot to help the soil settle. Ensure the air tube, growing tip, and any leaves remain above the soil line.
3. Slowly begin filling the container with water, allowing the soil to saturate
gradually. Once the pot is full and the soil is thoroughly wet, you can add a layer of gravel on top. The water depth should cover the growing tip by about 4-6 inches.
Alternately, the entire pot can be submerged into a larger basin of water. Lotuses are great for half wine barrels, old bathtubs or cattle trough gardens. Any shallow basin will do.
Cultivation
During the remainder of this season, the plant will produce leaves, with flowering expected in the second year after planting. In spring, once the leaves emerge above the water’s surface, fertilize the pot using an aquatic plant tablet. Lotuses should remain in their pots and rarely need transplanting. Do not fertilize during the first year, as lotuses are very sensitive and can be easily overfertilized.
Exposure
Full sun to part shade.
Hardiness
Zones 4-11.
Pests & Diseases
The most common pests that can affect lotus flowers include aphids and spider mites, though lotuses are generally considered resilient plants. Use diatomaceous earth powder, either dry or mixed into a water solution and sprayed on, when needed for pest issues.