TankBud

Tiger lotus

Nymphaea lotus

Also known as Nymphaea lotus var. lotus, Green tiger lotus, Tiger lily, Nymphaea zenkeri

FreshwaterBulb / tuberBulb offsets

Tiger lotus (Nymphaea lotus)
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Light
Medium light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
Max height
19.7 in
50 cm
Growth rate
Medium
Placement
Midground
Type
Bulb / tuber
pH
5.5–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Spread
15.7 in (40 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root feeder
Growth region
Submersed
Difficulty
Easy
Family
Nymphaeaceae
Origin
West and tropical Africa

Overview

Tiger lotus is an easy bulb plant and a centerpiece for the midground. Its heart-shaped leaves carry dark, tiger-like blotches.

Did you know

Green tiger lotus and red tiger lotus are the same plant. Aquarium stock runs the full range from green to deep red, which is where both trade names come from.

Caring for tiger lotus

Press the tuber about a third into a rich substrate. Leave the growing crown exposed so it will not rot.

Tiger lotus wants medium light, and brighter light plus extra iron pull out the red and keep it compact. It is a root feeder, so push root tabs in near the bulb. CO2 is optional but improves its color and form. Keep it at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C).

In low light it sends long-stemmed lily pads up to the surface. Trim those pads off at the bulb to keep it bushy and stop it shading the rest of the tank. It grows at a moderate pace to about 20 in (50 cm). The bulb offsets new daughter bulbs, which you can separate and plant on their own.

Good to know

Tiger lotus is a true water lily in Nymphaeaceae, growing from a rounded tuber, or bulb. Current taxonomy treats Nymphaea zenkeri as a synonym of Nymphaea lotus var. lotus. It is widely regarded as a color form of that variety.

In the wild

Tiger lotus comes from still and slow waters across West and tropical Africa. It grows rooted in soft mud, with leaves rising toward the surface. The spotted form in the hobby was long imported from West Africa under the name zenkeri.

Common questions

Does 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 tiger lotus need CO2?

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

How much light does tiger lotus need?

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

Does tiger lotus need root tabs?

Yes. 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 tiger lotus?

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

How tall does tiger lotus grow?

Tiger lotus grows to about 19.7 in (50 cm) tall. It grows at a moderate pace.

Related plants