Native to Indonesia and India, Sacred lotus is an aquatic perennial that is hardy in zones 4-11. Seeds are extremely long-lived and may remian viable under favorable conditions for many years. The oldest recorded lotus germination are from 1300 year old seeds that were recovered from a dry lakebed in northeastern China. Lotus can grow to a height of 19 feet depending on the depth of the body of water it is growing in. The roots are firmly planted in the mud beneath the water surface and the plant has long stems to which large round 24 inch leaves and flowers are attached. Flowers are large as well and can reach up to 9 inches across and bloom year around in warmer areas. Flowers, seeds, young leaves and rhizomes are edible, while the mature leaves are used to wrap steamed food. Full sun and winter hardy as long as the roots do not freeze. Seeds may need scarification and must be buried or sunk into a pond or creek. Pkt. 5