With the lotus just press it in to the substrate. Not to deep or it will start to rot.
Here is a thread that shows how to plant them.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/plants/35834-nymphaea-stellata-bulb.html#post310583#post310583
Here is a thread that shows how to plant them.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/plants/35834-nymphaea-stellata-bulb.html#post310583#post310583
For this one your going to have to do some research. There are a lot of plants out there.