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Even though they might depend the same to the untrained eye , H2O lily and Egyptian water lily plants are very unlike . Their public figure are different , as well as their appearance , hardiness , and more .
However , these plant life also have sure similarities , such as their flower time , predilection for fresh water , full sun , etc .
We ’ll discuss all these factors , and who knows , perhaps you ’ll be sway to get them both to embellish your water garden !
Before we set off to canvas these plants in more detail , permit ’s take care at the table below to learn their introductory difference and similarities :
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Water Lily vs Lotus
Both the Indian lotus and urine lily are on thelist of plant suitable for ponds , but as there are some of the essence differences between them , it might be best to acquire them in separate mediums .
They do n’t have the same fertilization requirements , and what ’s suited for one works might not be enough for the other .
There are many other thing that distinguish these works , and we ’ll examine them all in the following section .
Taxonomy
One of the first things we detect about these works is that they do n’t have the same name and they do n’t belong to the same family .
Lotuses are members of theNelumbonaceaefamily , and water lilies of the familyNymphaeaceae .
Both plants branch into two categories . We can distinguish between hardy and tropical water lilies and tropical and perennial genus Lotus .
But another all important difference between these plants is in the number of genera that belong to to one family .
Thefamily of water lilies is frame of six different genera . In contrast , the lotus category contains only one genus , Nelumbo , and two species : Nelumbo nucifera(commonly refer to as sacred Nelumbo nucifera , Indian lotus , or Laxmi lotus ) andNelumbo lutea(American Nelumbo nucifera ) .
Origin
Even though these flowering plants look standardized , their piazza of stock is different . Water liliesoriginate from tropic and temperate climates of all continents .
The bloodline of the lotus is slightly more difficult to think . Nelumbo nuciferais native to Asia ( easterly , southerly , and southeasterly region , include Northern India ) and possibly Australia , whereasNelumbo luteaoriginates from North America and the Caribbean .
Growth Habit
One of the main conflict between these two plants is in their growth habit . The lotus is known as an emerging aquatic plantbecause its leaves and blossom rise above the water level .
But the weewee lily swim bladder ( although , there ’s an exception ) . The flowers of the tropical species of water lilies rise about 6 - 8 inch above the surface of the piss .
But that ’s nothing in comparison to lotuses , which can soar up to 4 - 6 pes !
Flowers
Even though we can chance lotus and piss lily peak on thelist of astonishing Formosan flowers , it does n’t mean they ’re the same .
Generally speaking , lotus blossoms are larger and can be about a invertebrate foot in diam , while the blooms of water lilies are somewhat shorter ( 10 inch across ) .
moreover , the lotus has a drum - shaped carpel ( distaff reproductive reed organ ) lodged in an extended receptacle , while the water lily carpel is connate .
And if you closely examine a cross - section of lotus blossoms , you’ll mark an androecial ring(a circle of stamens surround the pistil ) , something a H2O lily blossom does n’t possess .
Also , the stamens of these flora are different . Thelotus has a filiform stamen ( stalking - like ) , while the water lily has a laminar stamen ( leaf - like ) .
Water lily have thicker , smaller , and narrower petal that are slenderly target at the ending , whereas lotus flower petal are wide , larger , and blunt at the baksheesh .
Lotus flowers have few flower petal than the water lilyand are usually whitened or pink , but can be blue , yellow , or purple . At the same time , lily flowers can fall in all shades of white , jaundiced , red , purplish , pastel orange , and pink . And they can even change color as they get on !
Blooming Time
Neither of these plants bloom of youth in the first twelvemonth after planting , but that ’s about the only similarity between their flowering time . All Nelumbo nucifera plants are day - blooming , and their peak typically tightlipped in the afternoon .
On the other hand , dissimilar eccentric of water lily can be either day or night boner . Hardy water lilies open up their blossoms during the day and the tropic varieties at night(from 6 PM to 10 AM ) .
Furthermore , the flowers of the lotus plants first open in early summertime and stay on to do so into the fall .
On the other hired hand , water lilies begin their blossom period of time in May , which lasts until September . And if your neighborhood does n’t get frost , they can blossom all class long .
Another interesting fact is thatwater lily and Nelumbo nucifera flowers last only a couple of days !
Foliage
The first matter we notice when we canvas the foliage of these two flora is thatlotus leave of absence make a full circle , whereas water lily leave-taking have a cutting .
moreover , Egyptian water lily plants have completely dark-green leaves , whereas water lily leaves can be descry and mottle with dark regal variegations .
last , thelotus leaf contain trichomes ( microscopical flora hairs ) , while the epidermis of water lily leafage has a waxy epidermis .
Seeds
After the white lily is pollinated and finishes blooming , the blossom turns into a germ pod and ripens above the airfoil of the water . Once the seeds are form , they fall out of the pod and are carried by the stream or animals .
But the formation of water system lily seeds is unlike . After pollenation , the seed pod human body and is miss submerged . germ mature and then float to the surface , where you’re able to pull in them .
The seeds of Nelumbo nucifera plants can shoot anywhere between 2 - 8 weeks , while piss lily seeds typically take about 3 - 4 weeks to sprout .
Size And Growth Rate
The white lily is a lot taller than the H2O lily , and some varieties can even produce 6 - 7 feet above the Earth’s surface if planted in deeper water .
piddle lilies , on the other hand , are much shorter than lotuses , and only some varieties can surface above water ( 6 - 8 inches ) .
Even though they differ in sizing , they both have nanus varieties , so you could grow them in containers if you do n’t have any more room in your pond .
lastly , water lily typically produce quicker than lotuses , but both plants are debauched growers !
Hardiness
The hardiness zone is mainly determined by the type of industrial plant . For instance , both lotus metal money are hardy down to geographical zone 4 , but that ’s not the pillow slip with water lilies .
Hardy water lilies thrive in USDA geographical zone 4 - 11 , but the tropic varieties can only produce in zones 9 - 11 .
Fertilization
The cosmopolitan formula is that lotus works require more fertilizer than water lily . Of naturally , you may apply the same hydroponic works food , but the frequencies differ .
Once your Nelumbo nucifera develops aeriform leaves , you could start flow it every 3 - 4 weeks during its growing time of year . If the foliage become yellow and chlorotic , you might need to fertilize it again ( unless you ’ve just fed it , in which case it might be a sign that you ’ve given your plant too much intellectual nourishment ) .
The H2O lily requires less frequent fertilization , and you’re able to feed them once a calendar month or every 6 week with Lilytabs or some similar plant life intellectual nourishment during their growing season .
Whenever you feed water lilies or lotuses , assure that youpress the lozenge into the soil or growing mediumand do n’t just drop them into shallow waters . The plant food can interchange the pH of the body of water and harm both flowered and faunal life .
Water Lily vs Lotus: Similarities
When you see the weewee lily up close , you ’ll detect how perfect it is forzen garden on a budgetbecause of its symbolism .
And the signification of the lotus is not far behind !
That got us thinking : what other things do these plants have in common ?
And we found a whole gang of them : preference for fresh water , tuberous ascendant , weak requirements , and even propagation .
So , get ’s come up out more about these things !
Both Produce Seeds
Even though the cum and the manner of their creation disagree , that does n’t convert the fact that both water lily and lotuses produce them .
Another matter they ’ve got in common is their usage . water system lily and lotus seeds are very popular in Asiatic traditional music and cuisine , so do n’t bury to collect them !
( Or you’re able to use them to distribute more of these aquatic plants ! )
Tuberous Roots
Both plant also grow tuberous root that you could habituate to pass around more plants or even eat if you know how to prepare them .
you’re able to steamer , fry , or roil them .
Grow In Freshwater
urine lily prefer muddy waters , so growing it in a shallow pond or a current is perfect . And the same goes for Nymphaea lotus .
They both prefer shallow streams , but it all depends on the variety . If you have a tall lotus or a water lily , you ’ll plant them in a pond , while nanus variety show are much more suitable for container horticulture .
Light Requirements
Let ’s speak about the weak requirements !
Both flora exhibit the most beautiful flowers in the full sun , but some body of water lily varieties will bloom in partial shade .
However , the blossoms wo n’t be nearly as attractive as unity grown in full sun conditions , so it ’s safe to say that both plants expect at least six hour of sun per day to unfeignedly shine .
Propagation
ultimately , you could propagate the Egyptian Blue Lotus ( which is actually a water supply lily ) , Nymphaea ‘ Blue Aster ’ , Nymphaea ‘ Tropic Sunset ’ , or ‘ Mrs. Perry D. Slocum ’ lotus , and you wo n’t make a mistake with any of them . The good time to diffuse these plants is before they blossom , and here ’s how to do it :
pace 1.Take the plant life out of the container and wash it exhaustively to disclose the rhizomes .
Step 2.Take a knifelike , sterilized knife and cut as many section from the root as potential . Ensure that each part has at least 2 - 3 eye because the fresh rhizome will develop from them .
Step 3.Place the tubers in the middle of the planter and lightly compensate them with the grow culture medium . corpse - loam substrates are the good , but you could also flux sand and topsoil with stiff .
Step 4.Pour water easy until the substratum is soaked and quaggy . Remember that the water should be exonerated and only the soil muddy .
Step 5.Move the flock into a strong surface area and await until the leave develop . Once there ’s foliage , you may move the plant life to a well - lit location .
maltreat 6.Keep adding more liquid as the plants get along , so the leave always float on the open .
Pro peak : Did you get laid that you cangrow a lotus without soil ? Well , you just need something to hold up the solution in place!Both lotuses and urine lilies thrive in special mediums for aquatic industrial plant , and you wo n’t need to fertilize them too oft .
Symbolism
There are mentions of Lotus in many sacred Egyptian and Buddhistic texts . It represents the “ Divine”and is also adopted as the home flower of India .
Its meaning varies in different traditions and cultures , but everyone agrees that this peak symbolizes rebirth , purity , and strength . It got this meaning because it sailplane from the turbid weewee , impeccable and pure , at the break of day .
The lotus can also symbolize superiority , a transformation of the human tone over the mundane , just like the lotus climb up from the Hell .
The H2O lily is another plant important in Hindu and Buddhist traditions that signifies rebirth and Resurrection of Christ . Water lilies symbolize enlightenmentbecause they uprise unsullied from the muddy waters and are also considered a symbol of divine giving birth and whiteness .
This plant is prevalent in Taiwanese tradition and weddings , where it represents a content union hold out for a hundred eld .
FAQ
We speak about the chief differences and similarities between urine lily and Lotus , but there are some other things we have n’t had the chance to mention .
We ’ll answer your most frequent interrogative in the following paragraph !
How long do lotus plants and water lilies live?
Both of these plants are perennials , and there have even been cases where they hold out 15 - 20 years . But even if your variety does n’t exist that long , you ’ll still enjoy it for years before old age catch up with it !
Are water lily and lotus flowers fragrant?
Yes , both flora produce fragrant blossoms described as pleasant and fruity .
Final Thoughts
The “ Water lily vs Lotus ” duel had some interesting twists and turn , but we finally reached the end of it . Hopefully , you’re able to choose which one to introduce to your pool or plant in your water garden !
They have many differences , such as the appearance of their peak and leave , their names and rootage , hardiness , and increase pace .
However , their symbolisation , light requirements , and propagation are the same , and if you want your water garden to be a property of purity , enlightenment , and rebirth , you could plant either .
Let us know what you take , and until next time !
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