TankBud

Red tiger lotus

Nymphaea lotus

Also known as White Egyptian lotus, Nymphaea lotus 'Red', Egyptian water lily

FreshwaterBulb / tuberBulb offsets

Red tiger lotus (Nymphaea lotus)
Aquarium Plants Factory · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light
Medium light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
Max height
23.6 in
60 cm
Growth rate
Medium
Placement
Midground
Type
Bulb / tuber
pH
5.5–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Spread
17.7 in (45 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root feeder
Growth region
Submersed
Difficulty
Easy
Family
Nymphaeaceae
Origin
Africa (including the Nile basin) and parts of Southeast Asia

Overview

Red tiger lotus is an easy bulb plant grown for its bold, red, marbled submersed leaves. It works as a midground or specimen plant.

Did you know

Red tiger lotus is the sacred lotus of ancient Egyptian art. Its night-blooming white flower is the one shown opening on tomb and temple walls along the Nile.

Caring for red tiger lotus

Push the roots into the substrate and leave the crown above it, so the bulb does not rot. Give it space, since a single plant spreads to about 18 in (45 cm).

Red tiger lotus wants medium light, and iron helps it hold a deep red color and a compact habit. It is a root feeder, so give it a rich substrate or root tabs. CO2 is not required but helps it grow faster. Keep it at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C).

In lower light it readily pushes floating lily pads. Snip those off at the bulb to keep the submersed rosette dense and to protect the light below. It grows at a moderate pace to about 24 in (60 cm).

It propagates by daughter bulbs, which can be separated and planted on their own. It occasionally sets seed from its flower as well.

Good to know

Red tiger lotus is the type species of the tiger lotus group in Nymphaeaceae, and it grows from a tuber. Nymphaea zenkeri, the common aquarium tiger lotus, is now treated as a synonym of N. lotus var. lotus. The red and green tiger lotuses in shops therefore belong to this same species. Its submersed leaves are heart-shaped, while emersed pads are rounder and float.

In the wild

Red tiger lotus is a water lily of warm, still and slow waters across Africa, famously including the Nile. Populations also live in parts of Southeast Asia. In the wild it roots in soft sediment, floats round pads at the surface and bears a fragrant white to cream bloom at night. Aquarium stock is usually the red-leaved tiger form.

Common questions

Does red tiger lotus 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 red tiger lotus need CO2?

No, but it helps. Red tiger lotus can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does red tiger lotus need?

Red tiger lotus wants medium light. A light sold for planted tanks covers it.

Does red tiger lotus need root tabs?

Yes. Red tiger lotus 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 red tiger lotus?

Red tiger lotus propagates by bulb offsets. The bulb forms offsets, which can be separated and planted on their own.

How tall does red tiger lotus grow?

Red tiger lotus grows to about 23.6 in (60 cm) tall. It grows at a moderate pace.

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