Kerala Teacher Earns $500/Month Selling Rare Lotus Plants

In Thrissur, Kerala, Lathika Suthan grows flowers so rare that some varieties bloomed in her state for the very first time. The 51-year-old former primary school teacher has transformed her backyard into a botanical treasure, housing nearly 100 lotus varieties and 80 water lily species.

Among her prized collections are the Ancient Maple Leaf lotus and the stunning 1,000-petal lotus, both of which made their Kerala debut in her garden. When photos of these rare blooms spread across social media and magazines, plant enthusiasts started showing up at her door.

"Through this, many people came to know about lotuses and started contacting me," Lathika shares. "I started giving tubers to individuals keen on cultivating these exquisite plants. And then I thought, why not make a business out of it?"

The journey began in her childhood, where she found deep joy in watching plants grow. Though she became a government teacher in her early twenties, she never stopped nurturing her green passion alongside her career.

In 2018, Lathika took the leap into commercial cultivation. She researched extensively and discovered that while hundreds of lotus varieties existed worldwide, only a handful were available in India at the time.

She started investing in rare saplings from nurseries across the country and importing specimens from Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan. Some early purchases cost her as much as Rs 20,000 per tuber, though those same varieties now sell for just Rs 250 as they've become more common.

To master her craft, Lathika attended workshops hosted by the agricultural department and learned from experienced growers. "Then, I started experimenting myself and learnt during the process," she says.

Her sustainable approach relies on natural fertilizers like dried cow dung, used tea leaves, and powdered eggshells rather than harsh chemicals. She emphasizes that lotuses and water lilies need just three basics: sunlight, water, and quality soil.

"Compared to other plants, managing lotuses and water lilies is way easier," Lathika explains. "Once planted, it will start growing and giving flowers without much care."

The Ripple Effect

Lathika's success inspired her husband Suthan to retire from his job in Qatar and join the business full-time. Together, they tend their aquatic garden daily, proving that it's never too late to chase a childhood dream into a fulfilling second career.

Her story has sparked interest in lotus cultivation across Kerala, with many locals now growing their own water gardens. By making rare varieties accessible and affordable, she's helping spread the beauty of these ancient flowers to homes throughout India.

Now Lathika grows not just lotuses and lilies, but also orchids, begonias, and other indoor plants, sharing her knowledge with anyone willing to learn. What started as one child's fascination with flowers has blossomed into a movement that's bringing more beauty into the world, one tuber at a time.