Ken's Dream Lotus (Bare Root)

Nelumbo nucifera — large pond lotus, shipped as a dormant lotus tuber.

A classic beauty! Edible tubers. Ken's Dream is a living expression of the cooperation between America and China in the Auburn University Lotus Project. This hybrid was produced by Dr. Daike Tian, a Chinese doctoral student from China working under the supervision of Dr. Ken Tilt, the Project's lead professor from Auburn University. The hybrid is a cross of the American lotus, Nelumbo lutea, and Space Lotus 36, a Chinese lotus that resulted when lotus seeds were sent into space to test lotus seeds' ability to withstand the increased radiation and zero gravity of space travel. This lotus will become the focal point of your garden with its green leaves and very large classic flower. The single-petal flower has very broad creamy white petals that a have a pink picotee on the first day, changing to white with a tiny bead of pink on the apex of the petals by the third day.

If this lotus is grown in a large space the tubers will be quite large and delicious!

At a glance

• Flower color: White with Pink
• Flower type: Single or Few, less than 20 petals
• Plant height: Tall, 48" and taller
• Container: 20" and wider, 12"-18" deep

As a large pond lotus, this one settles at 12 to 24 inches of water over the crown once established — start a new tuber under 2 to 4 inches and raise the level as it pushes aerial leaves, with the growing tip left uncovered. Pot size, soil and the rest of the method are in the lotus planting instructions.

Browse more white lotus or see every large pond lotus we carry.