Other similar varietis have purple, pink, or white flowers. Nymphaea caerulea flowers in the spring, should be planted in sunny positions in medium or clay loam. Grows along lakes and rivers in wet soil. The blue lotus was found scattered over Tutankhamen's body when the Pharaoh's tomb was opened in 1922. Thus the areas of the lake where lilies last long enough to flower and set seed change every year, depending upon water level and raft area.
Teams constantly survey the lake for lilies to build a dynamic picture of the changes.