Blue Lotus- Nymphaea caerulea

Blue lotus is a water lily that is sacred to many cultures, including ancient Egyptians and Hindus. It is believed to promote relaxation and spiritual enlightenment. Blue lotus can be grown from seed and prefers a warm, sunny location with plenty of water. Nymphaea nouchali caerulea, also named Nymphaea caerulea, Nymphaea capensis, Blue water lily, Lady Lily of the Nile, Egyptian Lotus, is a perennial aquatic plant from South Africa.

*Extremely hard to source in recent times.*

Blue lotus seeds can be sown directly in a container with a nutrient-rich, clay soil that retains moisture well. The seeds require plenty of water to germinate and grow, and the container should be kept filled with water to a depth of at least 4 inches. After a few days, the seeds will start to sprout and can be transferred to a container of water and soil. Blue lotus seeds require plenty of sunlight to germinate and grow.

With a history dating back thousands of years, Nymphaea caerulea has various current uses. One popular use is to soak the dried flowers in red wine overnight, strain, and drink in moderation. The effects are reportedly relaxing and sedating, inducing a feeling of contentment. The flowers can also be smoked alone or used in smoking blends.

Nymphaea comes from the Greek word nymphaia, which means water nymph. Both the rhizomes and seeds are edible. N. caerulea, also called N. caerulea ssp. zanzibarensis, is a naturalized water plant in NSW and QLD, replacing the native Nymphaea gigantea that is now extinct locally due to sedimentation and increased waterway disturbance. In Australia, it is commonly known as Blue Waterlily, while Lotus refers to Nelumbo spp.