Blue Lotus Plant Care
Nymphaea nouchali Burm.f.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Nymphaea nouchali, often known by its synonym Nymphaea stellata, or by common names blue lotus, star lotus, red water lily, dwarf aquarium lily, blue water lily, blue star water lily or manel flower, is a water lily of genus Nymphaea. It is native to southern and eastern parts of Asia, and is the national flower of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.This species is usually considered to include the blue Egyptian lotus N.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Blue Lotus?
Blue Lotus grows best in full sun to partial shade.
What Is the Blue Lotus?
Blue Lotus (Nymphaea nouchali) belongs to the Nymphaeaceae family within the Nymphaea genus. Blue Lotus is native to southern and eastern parts of Asia. Blue Lotus is also known as Blue Water Lily, Star Lotus, Water Lily.
Blue Lotus displays a floating aquatic plant growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Blue Lotus produces showy, fragrant, solitary flowers in various colors.
What Light Does the Blue Lotus Need?
Blue Lotus thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Blue Lotus?
Rich loamy soil with a layer of clay and organic matter, aquatic planting media. Good drainage is essential for Blue Lotus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Blue Lotus?
Repot every 1-2 years 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 Blue Lotus?
Blue Lotus can be propagated through division of rhizomes, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to blue lotus plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Blue Lotus Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Blue 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 Blue Lotus?
Blue Lotus is susceptible to aphids, leaf miners, snails. 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.
Keep exploring plants
Blue 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 Nymphaea genus — compare its care with other Nymphaea species on PlantoScan.
Nymphaea is part of the Nymphaeaceae plant family — browse all Nymphaeaceae genera and species.
Blue Lotus thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Nymphaea nouchali Burm.f., family Nymphaeaceae (first published in Flora Indica 1768) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Blue 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.
- 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Blue Lotus Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species