Control American Lotus

Often confused for water lilies, American lotus can be distinguished by its leaves that have no slit; they are completely round and sometimes stand up above the water. The yellow flowers have a cone shaped seed pod in the middle that water lilies don’t have. While this plant is native, it may be in the way for access to your water. The following options can be considered for how to control American lotus.

Click here to read more about identifying this plant.

Manual/Mechanical Control:

If you are considering how to remove American lotus, physically cutting this plant and digging up the roots can be a somewhat effective method of control. However, physical control can be difficult. American lotus can re-grow from any seeds or rhizomes remaining in the water.

Herbicide Control:

There are multiple options for how to kill American lotus that offer great control.

1. Spritflo (for ponds with no outflow) – liquid that is poured and spreads throughout the entire body of water, offers extended control.
2. Liquid 2, 4-D (for ponds or lakes) – liquid that is diluted with water and sprayed directly on the plants. Most effective on treatment areas larger than a half acre, this allows longer contact exposure time.

Treatment Tips:

When treating American lotus,

• With 2, 4-D, treat when the plants are established and actively growing.
• Spritflo can be used at the first signs of growth.
• Because lotus seeds will remain in the water to sprout when the conditions are favorable, treatment will likely be needed for multiple years.