Growing a Lotus from Seed Growing a lotus from seed really is not that complicated. The hardest part is acquiring your seed! Once you have a lotus seed you need to file down the thick brown coating on your seed. File down just until you see the white core. Try not to damage the white center! Toss in a cup of water and place in a warm place for 2-3 days until your seed doubles in size. While your seeds are soaking you need to prepare your dirt. Fill a butterbowl full of dirt (that thick clay soil you have left over from digging your pond is perfect!). You will need one container per seed. Take your butterbowl of dirt and place in a larger container and fill the larger container with water until the bowl is 2-3 inches below water surface. Allow the dirt to settle. Now, take your swollen seed and gently poke into your butterbowl. Place the larger container in full sun. Check daily to insure the water level remains constant. Now is the time to prepare your lotus' permanent home. Go ahead and fill your container with dirt and allow this dirt to settle in the water, wherever it's permanent home will be. Your seedlings should send up a tiny stem within 4-5 days. In 3 weeks or so it will have 3 or 4 tiny leaves. When this happens it is time to gently and carefully scoop out the plant from the butterbowl. Be careful not to damage the tiny tuber. Scoop out a little hole in your larger container and place the baby lotus in it's new home. ENJOY! It will take 2-3 years for your lotus to bloom when started from a seed, but it will grace your pond or patio with it's large umbrella leaves during the wait. My "Lutea" lotus that I started from seed.  Main Pond Page