TankBud

Dwarf aquarium lily

Nymphaea nouchali

Also known as Nymphaea stellata, Star lotus, Blue star water lily, Dwarf lily, Nil manel

FreshwaterBulb / tuberBulb offsetsPlantlets

Dwarf aquarium lily (Nymphaea nouchali)
Aquarium Plants Factory · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light
Medium light
CO2
No CO₂ needed
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
Max height
9.8 in
25 cm
Growth rate
Medium
Placement
Midground
Type
Bulb / tuber
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
3–15 dGH
Spread
7.9 in (20 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root feeder
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Easy
Family
Nymphaeaceae
Origin
Native to ponds, lakes, and slow waters across tropical Asia, from India and Sri Lanka to Southeast Asia.

Overview

Dwarf aquarium lily is an easy water lily that grows from a small bulb. Its arrow-shaped leaves flush red, green and bronze.

Did you know

The blue form of dwarf aquarium lily is the national flower of both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. There it is highly regarded and known as the manel or nil-manel.

Caring for dwarf aquarium lily

Push the roots into the substrate and bury only a quarter of the bulb, so it does not rot. Dwarf aquarium lily makes a good midground centerpiece.

It wants medium light for compact, colorful submerged leaves, and it grows well without added CO2. It draws much of its food through its roots, so push root tabs in near the bulb. Keep it warm, at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C).

It grows at a moderate pace, to about 10 in (25 cm). Pinch off the floating pads to keep it low and bushy, and let a pad or two reach the surface only if you want flowers. The bulb forms offsets and small plantlets, which can be separated and planted on their own.

Good to know

Dwarf aquarium lily is Nymphaea nouchali, a water lily in the family Nymphaeaceae. The name Nymphaea stellata is treated as a synonym. Its star-shaped flowers, blue to purple, give rise to the common name star lotus.

In the wild

Dwarf aquarium lily is native to warm ponds, lakes and slow waters across tropical Asia. Its range runs from India and Sri Lanka to Southeast Asia.

Common questions

Does dwarf aquarium lily need to be planted in the substrate?

Yes, but only partly. Push the roots into the substrate and leave at least the top half of the bulb uncovered so it doesn't rot.

Does dwarf aquarium lily need CO2?

No. Dwarf aquarium lily grows well without added CO2.

How much light does dwarf aquarium lily need?

Dwarf aquarium lily wants medium light. A light sold for planted tanks covers it.

Does dwarf aquarium lily need root tabs?

Yes. Dwarf aquarium lily draws much of its food through its roots. Push root tabs in near it, or grow it in a nutrient-rich soil.

How do you propagate dwarf aquarium lily?

Dwarf aquarium lily propagates by bulb offsets and plantlets. The bulb forms offsets, which can be separated and planted on their own. Small plantlets form on the plant and can be detached once they have a few roots.

How tall does dwarf aquarium lily grow?

Dwarf aquarium lily grows to about 9.8 in (25 cm) tall. It grows at a moderate pace.

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