Red Tiger Lotus (Nymphaea lotus) Care Guide
A striking bulb plant with broad arrow-shaped leaves covered in reddish-brown speckled patterns. If allowed, it sends lily pads to the surface, but regular trimming of surface runners keeps its dramat…
Overview
Nymphaea lotus is an aquatic plant in the family Nymphaeaceae. A striking bulb plant with broad arrow-shaped leaves covered in reddish-brown speckled patterns. If allowed, it sends lily pads to the surface, but regular trimming of surface runners keeps its dramatic underwater foliage compact and colorful.
Taxonomy
- Family: Nymphaeaceae
- Genus: Nymphaea
- Scientific name: Nymphaea lotus
- Other names: Tiger Lotus, Nymphaea Lotus
Habitat
A water lily native to East Africa, the Nile basin and Southeast Asia, found in ponds, oxbow lakes and slow-flowing waters. Grows from a tuberous rhizome and naturally sends floating round leaves to the surface; aquarium cultivation typically trims surface runners to keep the submerged colour foliage compact.
Growth requirements
- Light: medium (≈50-80 PAR at substrate)
- CO2: optional (CO2 improves growth and coloration)
- Temperature: 22-28 °C
- pH: 5.5-7.5
- GH: 3-12 °dGH
- Substrate: nutrient-rich aquasoil or fertilised gravel
- Nutrient demand: medium
- Growth rate: fast
- Difficulty: intermediate
Placement
- Recommended placement: midground
- Maximum height: 50 cm
- Trim every: 7 days
Propagation
In cultivation the plant is propagated by vegetative division or fragmentation and runners (daughter plants on horizontal stolons).