Nelumbo nucifera 'Susan's Spicy Sparkle', large pond lotus, shipped as a dormant lotus tuber.

Susan's Spicy Sparkle is hard to miss. The flowers are a saturated dark red to hot magenta-red, full and layered, with broad pointed outer petals and smaller ruffled ones that curl and twist toward the center.

In the middle is a golden-yellow seedpod ringed with pale, pearl-like stamens, a bright contrast against all that red. In strong sun the finely veined petals shift between hot pink, crimson and deep red, so the flower can look like it changes color.

It blooms often for a flower this elaborate, so you get repeat displays through the season. It's named for Susan on our nursery team, who's known for her smile and her laugh.

At a glance

• Flower color: Brilliant red
• Flower type: Multi-petal, more than 50 petals
• Plant height: Tall, 48" and up
• Container: 16" and wider, 10"-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 red lotus or see every large pond lotus we carry.