The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

If you’re looking to decorate something with an ancient Egyptian motif, the lotus flower will be one of the first choices to come to mind. It’s a recurring inspiration for ancient Egyptian themes in accessories, clothing, and decorative pottery pieces. So why isn’t it commonly found in our present everyday environment?

The Lotus Flower in The Pharaonic Era

The lotus flower used to grow all along the Nile in Egypt. It was associated with the sun and rebirth because it bloomed all day and then sank back into the water at night. Like anything related to the Nile, it was considered sacred and is depicted on nearly all the temple walls. The lotus flower was also used in religious rites and as a dye, and its roots were even used for food.

Where Is the Lotus Flower Today?

Unfortunately, after industrialisation, urbanisation, and significant climate change, the lotus flower now blooms scarcely in isolated areas in the Nile Delta, having once been so widespread in the wild. It grows in shallow waters, swamps, and still lakes. If you want to see the glory of this ancient flower, head to the Orman Garden after its opening, where there’s a special place for the lotus in the artificial Papyrus Lake.

Honouring This Legacy at Home

Just because the lotus flower isn’t as widespread in the wild anymore doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to honour the legacy it represents, or that it can’t be enjoyed anymore. Planting lotus at home can be a fun experience, especially since they bloom for several months, spanning spring and summer. So, the best time to start growing them is during autumn and winter.

How to Plant the Lotus Flower

The process of planting lotus has many steps, but the result is so rewarding. First, you need to get some seeds and file the top part to make it easy for the stems to emerge. You can get the seeds online or ask at any plantation. Then put the seeds in a glass container filled with water, and change the water every day for 10 days. At this point, it should have very noticeable stems and a couple of small leaves.

The Key to a Successful Planting

Here comes the tricky part: as soon as the roots grow, the seedling should be removed to its permanent pot. You should get a lotus bowl, which is a flatter sort of pot for aquatic plants and aquatic soil. Put a layer of soil, then cover with a layer of water. Then dig a small spot for each seedling, inserting it into the aquatic soil so that the roots are horizontal and not vertical. Change the water every few days to prevent the plant from growing mould. Finally, enjoy the glorious ancient flower you will have in a few months.