Water lily and lotus difference

Many park visitors come to the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens for birding, hiking, and photography.

These two aquatic flowers may appear similar, but they have definite distinctions. Katherine Martinko is an expert in sustainable living. It might be easy at first to get these two aquatic flowers mixed up, but they have definite distinctions. In fact, though these are both flowers found in water, they actually belong to two separate families of flowers. It is also easy to tell them apart at a glance once you know what to look for. The biggest difference is that water lilies' pads and flowers remain close to the surface of the water, growing no higher than eight inches, while water lotuses grow up and out of the water, sometimes as high as four to six feet in a real pond.

Water lily and lotus difference

Water lilies Nymphaea and Lotus Nelumbo are jewels of the aquatic world. Symbolic in both the ancient and modern world, they are celebrated for their beauty and immortalized in art and religion. Both are pond blooming plants that emerge from rhizomes and share a rich color palette, but there are some easy ways to tell them apart:. Many of both plants are easy to grow and reward the gardener with fragrant and sumptuous blossoms from June until October. There are two main divisions of water lilies: hardy and tropical. Hardy ones will survive our New York City winters if they are planted below the freezing line in a water feature, while tropical water lilies need to be stored over the winter or treated as annuals. In addition to cold hardiness, tropical water lilies differ from hardy water lilies in the following ways:. Plant water lilies in plastic containers or baskets specifically designed for aquatic plants. Line baskets with burlap or landscape fabric so that the soil does not fall through the cracks. Several sheets of newspaper can be placed on the bottom of the containers for the same purpose. Always use topsoil that is free from herbicides and pesticides. The containers should be large enough to allow the rhizome to spread.

In addition to cold hardiness, tropical water lilies differ from hardy water lilies in the following ways: They can have larger flowers. Katherine Martinko.

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If you are confused by these two gorgeous aquatic plants, it is not a surprise because they are similar enough that they are often considered the same plant. For example, Talay Bua Daeng in Thailand, traditionally called Red Lotos See, despite its name, does not have a single lotus and features pink water lilies. If you want to clean up the dilemma and learn once and for all how to distinguish them, just keep reading! The main difference between water lilies and lotus is leaf structure, flower size, and cultural significance. Water lilies have floating leaves and large fragrant blooms, while lotus have leaves rising above water and showy cup-shaped flowers. In addition to belonging to different plant families and having different origins, the primary, visible difference between these plants is that the leaves and flowers of the water lily float on the water surface.

Water lily and lotus difference

The lotus and the water lily are two beautiful flowers that often get confused. They are typically referred to as one and the same, but there are distinct differences between them. Lotus and water lilies are both beautiful aquatic plants, but they come from different families.

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R61 Related Guides Aquatic Plant Gardens. These might grow only to two or three feet in height. Alternatively, you can re-pot the water lily into a smaller container. They prefer warm weather and will start to grow once the water temperature has risen above 70 degrees. Ask a Plant Expert Contact Us with your plant questions by email plantinfo nybg. Tips and Troubleshooting Make sure that your water lily or lotus gets enough sunlight, ideally six hours or more. Tropical water lilies have longer stalks that hold the flower higher above the surface of the water. They come in day-blooming varieties diurnal and night-blooming varieties nocturnal ; hardy water lilies are all day-blooming. Store it in an aquarium tank making sure that the temperature doesn't get above degrees; this control will ensure that the water lily is not actively growing. Hardy water lilies are able to withstand colder temperatures. They open during the day and close at night unless they are nocturnal. Pay attention to depth when you plant your aquatic plants. Interestingly, lotus seeds can germinate many years after production. The first new leaves of the lotus float on the surface of the water, while older ones are raised in the air.

The main difference between water lily and lotus is that water lily belongs to the family Nymphaeaceae, whereas lotus belongs to the family Nelumbonaceae. Although the leaves of the tropical water lily float on the water surface, its flowers rise above the surface of the water about inches. Water lily and lotus are two types of aquatic flowering plants important in horticulture.

S62 This can be from 6 to 18 inches deep depending on the size of your water feature. Art and Ornamentation in the Garden. Katherine Martinko. The water lilies at the Gardens typically bloom from about mid-April through mid-September. The tropical water lilies are more fragrant. Once the flower is finished, it will slowly sink into the water. Fertilize plants once a month. All water lilies fall under the genus Lilium and family Nymphaeaceae. Use limited data to select advertising. Measure content performance. There are plenty of options available on the market in all colors and sizes. Lotus will be hardy if the tuberous rhizomes do not freeze. While both attract insects, the lotus fragrance is more subtle. Many park visitors come to the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens for birding, hiking, and photography.