Photo: zebedeugalinhaCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Crete Lotus Plant Care
Lotus creticus L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its striking silver-green foliage and delicate pink flowers, this plant originating from the Mediterranean region is a favorite among plant collectors. The unique shape of its leaves and its ability to thrive in sandy, well-drained soil make Lotus creticus a desirable addition to any botanical collection.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Crete Lotus?
Water Crete Lotus every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Crete Lotus Native To?
- Angola
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mozambique
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Crete Lotus?
Crete Lotus (Lotus creticus) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Lotus genus. Crete Lotus is native to tropical Africa.
Crete Lotus displays an aquatic perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Crete Lotus produces showy pink or white flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Crete Lotus?
Lotus creticus requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Crete Lotus Need?
Crete Lotus thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Crete Lotus Prefer?
Lotus creticus grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Crete Lotus prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Crete Lotus?
Loamy soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Crete Lotus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Crete Lotus?
Feed Crete Lotus every month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Crete Lotus?
Repot annually in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Crete Lotus?
Crete Lotus can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to arabian lotus plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Crete Lotus Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Crete Lotus, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Crete Lotus?
Crete Lotus is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, caterpillars. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Crete Lotus Need?
Crete Lotus grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Crete Lotus is native to tropical Africa. In cooler regions, grow Crete Lotus as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 9a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Crete Lotus is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Lotus genus — compare its care with other Lotus species on PlantoScan.
Lotus is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Crete Lotus thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Lotus Species
Other Lotus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lotus creticus L., family Fabaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 775 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Crete Lotus, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: zebedeugalinha, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 9a – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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