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American Lotus

About American Lotus

American Lotus is a relatively rare houseplant 🌿 that is a fun challenge to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window.

American Lotus likes soil that is good at retaining moisture. You may want to supplement with a gentle, organic fertilizer throughout the peak growing season.

American Lotus belongs to the Nelumbo genus, and is native to Southeast Canada to Mexico, the Greater Antilles, and Colombia.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Nelumbo lutea

Genus

Nelumbo

Family

Nelumbonaceae

Order

Proteales

Also known as

Yellow lotus, Water-chinquapin and Volée

How to care for American Lotus

💦 Water

How often to water your American Lotus

American Lotus needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

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Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for American Lotus in your home

American Lotus love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

American Lotus does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of American Lotus in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize American Lotus

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for American Lotus: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your American Lotus after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #AmericanLotus

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

American Lotus can be challenging to care for, according to some plant parents. Check out the reviews down below to learn from their experiences!

How to Grow American Lotus →

Benefits of Growing American Lotus →

Common American Lotus Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for American Lotus →

💦 Water Needs

American Lotus prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

American Lotus Water Frequency →

American Lotus Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

American Lotus requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

American Lotus Light Requirements →

American Lotus Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

American Lotus is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

Is American Lotus Edible? →

American Lotus Toxicity to Cats →

American Lotus Toxicity to Dogs →

American Lotus Toxicity to Humans →

🪴 Soil

American Lotus is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.

Best Soil Mix for American Lotus →

Best Pots for American Lotus →

When and How to Successfully Repot American Lotus →

What Are Healthy American Lotus Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

American Lotus is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.

How Much and When to Fertilize American Lotus →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

American Lotus grows along the ground and sends out shoots which will spread across the soil.

American Lotus Lifecycle →

American Lotus Size Guide →

How and When to Prune American Lotus →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
American Lotus can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 4a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

American Lotus Temperature Tolerance →

American Lotus Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with American Lotus →

When to Plant American Lotus →

How to Plant American Lotus →

Where to Plant American Lotus →

Winter Care for American Lotus →

Best Companion Plants for American Lotus →

Is American Lotus a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

How to Propagate American Lotus →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in American Lotus, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.