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Sacred Lotus

Nelumbo nucifera

In the Carolinas and Georgia, found in ponds, lakes, canals. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Not native to Arkansas. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 76%

Height
3–6 feet
Spread
3–4 feet
Light
Full sun
Soil moisture
Wet to standing water
See native alternatives

Plant this instead

Choose your county to list local plants first.

  • Orange Coneflower
    Rudbeckia fulgida

    Sun: Full sun. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Black, yellow or orange.

    Similar growth form, evergreen or deciduous, bloom season

  • Powdery Thalia
    Thalia dealbata

    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Wet to standing water. Flowers: Purple or white.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

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At a glance

Life cycle
Annual or perennial
Leaves
Evergreen
Bloom
June to September

Recorded in 1 Arkansas county.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

Ponds, lakes and their shores

Still water and its edges: ponds, lakes, millponds and reservoirs.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

5CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including AR

Genus host records with ranges including AR · Nelumbo

  • Bellura obliquaCattail Border Moth, Cattail Diver
  • Elophila gyralisWaterlily Borer Moth
  • Elophila obliteralisWaterlily Leafcutter Moth
  • Ostrinia penitalisAmerican Lotus Borer, Lily Moth
  • Psara obscuralisObscure Psara Moth
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Nelumbonaceae
Hardiness
Zones 4a–10b
Flower color
Pink or white

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Oriental Lotus Lily; Pink Lotus Lily; Sacred Lotus Lily

Conservation status

Arkansas rankSNA
Global rankG5
AR statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources