All The Things You Can Do With Lotus Flower Seed Pods

If you grew up in the '80s or '90s, you may remember cookie-sized, woody lotus flower seed pods intermingled with potpourri in grandparents' homes. But beyond the dish of dried flowers, the pods were eye-catching among the petals and are equally attention-grabbing in other uses. In the 21st century, lotus seed pods have moved beyond their dusty origins. These days, the pods are welcome in fresh arrangements, as part of wall hangings, and even in spots you'd never have imagined back in 1986.

Lotuses are aquatic flowering plants mainly from Africa and Asia, and they're steeped in religious symbolism. In Buddhism and Hinduism, lotus flowers represent growth and beauty. Their curious behavior after blooming may contribute to their mythic qualities. The plants can reach heights up to 1 to 6 feet, and each night, they dip their flowers underwater. After a refreshing bath, they reappear with the sun looking fresh and healthy. 

Once the petals wilt, the pods can dry right on their stems, leaving behind a beautiful husk where the seeds and petals once were. You can grow your own, but some species of this plant have become invasive in certain areas. Instead, order dried pods online at Bulb Center for just over $25 for a 50-pack. Tuck a few painted pods into a stunning floral centerpiece, DIY a decor item, or venture into truly imaginative territory by morphing a pod into a lamp or aquarium landscape. It's a worthy consideration for decorations and bouquets.

If you live in an area where these pods abound (and are not considered invasive), you can propagate your own by taking the seed from a pod and scoring it, then placing it in distilled water. To make your own dried pods, grab your waders and head into a lily pond (with the landowner's permission), then gather the stems together with a rubber band and hang them in a dry, cool closet. 

Soon, you'll have accents that are perfect for flower displays. They've been popping up in wedding bouquets and table centerpieces, and their woody forms lend a harvest vibe to bunches of fall flowers. Expand the flower factor by adding pods to seasonal floral wreaths. Paint a cluster of them an array of colors for a lotus-pod-only bundle that pops. Complete the offbeat look with one of these flower vases for your next cheerful arrangement.

In addition to being part of a bouquet, harness the utility of the pods' holes for the displays themselves. The circular shape and distribution of holes makes it an unexpected stand-in for a florist frog; remove the bottom of a fresh seed pod (It's easier to do this before the pod dries), set it over the mouth of a vase, and send stems through the holes for support.

The benefits of the lotus flower seed pod go beyond floral arrangements. Did you know that your aquarium or terrarium could benefit from a lotus pod? Its natural materials and interesting form bring visual interest to your faux ocean or makeshift forest floor. While we most often see fully dried mature pods in decor, they tend to shatter easily. It may be best to harvest them from their stalks while the stem is still pliable, and then allowing the pods to dry separately. Lotus pods are buoyant in water, so you'll want to weigh it down before placing it in your aquarium. Gluing a rock to its base with non-toxic waterproof glue will do the trick. 

If you have a pod that hasn't fully dried yet, you can morph it into a bookmark by cutting away the face of the pod and attaching a tassel. Can you imagine light streaming through the holes in a lotus flower seed pod? A battery-operated light inserted into the base of the pod brings this idea to life. Remove the seeds and flesh from the husk, and place a battery-operated light with a cord inside the pod head. With so many of these beautiful garden-inspired ideas, you might wish you had a pond full of lotus flowers yourself.