Nelumbo Jin Hehuan - Lotus

Nelumbo 'Jin Hehuan' is a mini lotus variety, or "Bowl lotus", perfectly suited to terrace ponds and container cultivation. Its small, semi-double, creamy yellow to ivory flowers can be admired throughout the summer. With the true essence of the sacred Indian lotus, this plant is simply less exuberant. It features round, decorative leaves and produces curious, watering-can-shaped fruits. A remarkable variety for very small containers, its rhizome should be planted under 10 to 20 cm of water.

Lotus 'Jin Hehuan' is sometimes sold under the name 'Yellow Silk tree'. It is an aquatic perennial from the Nelumbonaceae family. The native range of the wild Nelumbo nucifera includes Southeast Asia (India, Nepal...) and Northern Australia, where it thrives in large ponds and muddy canals, standing majestically above the water. Lotus and dwarf water lilies are ideal plants for decorating small ponds. Most flower for many weeks with minimal care. The lotus also plays a vital role in maintaining the balance of an aquatic environment by oxygenating the water.
Nelumbo 'Jin Hehuan' is a deciduous plant: its foliage emerges in spring and dies back before winter. Its blue-green, upright leaves have a flat or slightly concave surface with gently wavy edges. Water droplets bead on their surface due to the hydrophobic quality of the epidermis. The entire, peltate lamina, measuring 10 to 15 cm in diameter, connects to the rhizome via a slender petiole attached beneath the leaf's centre. The plant will grow up to 40 cm above the water's surface. Flowering begins between June and July and continues until September. The semi-double flowers measure 5-10 cm across, lasting several days before fading, with new buds continually replacing them. After flowering, highly decorative fruits form, resembling a watering-can spout dotted with small holes that release the seeds when ripe. These are often used in dried flower arrangements and contain numerous seeds that eventually sink and germinate in the mud.

The mini Lotus has no equal for enhancing terraces and balconies. It adapts perfectly to cultivation in various watertight containers. The number of flowers produced depends on the container size. In a 30 cm diameter pot, the plant will produce 3 to 8 flowers; 8 to 15 in a 50 cm container; and up to 25 in an 80 cm bowl or barrel. Pair it with other aquatic plants like Hippuris or bladderwort. The perfection of the sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) flower and fruit makes it a symbol of purity in several religions. In Buddhism, its sacred character stems from the belief that Buddha appeared floating on its leaf. In Hinduism, it is seen as the cradle of the universe.