Tiger lotus

Quick facts

Max height

50 cm

Growth rate

fast

Difficulty

intermediate

Placement

midground

Propagation

tuber division

Water parameters

Temperature

22–30°C

pH

5.5 to 8.0

Hardness

3 to 20 dGH

Light and nutrients

Lighting

medium

CO2

not required, but boosts growth and color

Substrate

nutrient rich

Feeding

feeds from both water column and roots (liquid ferts plus root tabs)

Substrate

What this plant roots into (or attaches to). The substrate affects both plant nutrition and water chemistry; see each linked page for full effects.

This plant feeds primarily from the water column, so substrate choice matters more for its fish-tank compatibility than for plant nutrition.

With fish

Plant-eating fish

safe with plant-eating fish (tough leaves or unpalatable)

Diggers (corydoras, loaches)

may get uprooted by active diggers

Root-disturbing fish

tolerates fish that disturb roots

Habitat

Native to tropical West Africa (Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana), growing in still and slow-moving freshwater: ponds, lakes, river margins, and seasonal flood pools. The species (Nymphaea lotus, variety zenkeri or similar) is a water lily that produces broad, triangular to arrow-shaped submerged leaves with vivid red to purple-brown coloring marked by darker spots and patterns. The 'tiger' name refers to these dark markings on the red leaves. If the plant reaches the surface, it produces floating lily pads and eventually flowers. Tiger lotus grows from a bulb and is one of the most dramatically colored foliage plants available for aquariums. Red and green forms exist; the red form is far more popular and commonly sold.

Outdoor pond use

This species transitions to outdoor ponds well, not just indoor aquariums.

Outdoor pond zones (USDA)

9 to 13 (winter low around -7°C or warmer)

Below the minimum zone, the plant won't overwinter outdoors but can still be grown seasonally and overwintered indoors. Several pond-friendly species (water hyacinth, water lettuce, parrot's feather) are regulated as noxious in some jurisdictions; check the legality data on the profile before releasing anything to an outdoor body of water.

Care notes

Plant the bulb with the top third above the substrate. Moderate to high light produces the most vivid red coloring with distinct dark markings. CO2 is not required but improves growth and color intensity. The plant naturally wants to produce floating leaves; most keepers trim the long petioles of surface-reaching leaves to keep the plant producing the attractive compact, submerged rosette form. Uncontrolled, the floating leaves shade out everything below. Growth is moderate to fast; a healthy bulb produces new leaves steadily. Root tabs support the bulb's nutrition. Iron supplementation enhances the red pigmentation. Temperature: 22–28°C. pH 6.0-7.5. Soft to moderately hard water. Tiger lotus is a focal point plant: one specimen in the midground of a planted tank draws the eye with its vivid red, patterned foliage. The bulb occasionally produces runners with daughter bulbs. Available from aquatic plant retailers; often sold as dry bulbs in packets or as actively growing potted specimens (the potted form is more reliable). The dramatic red, patterned leaves make tiger lotus one of the most eye-catching plants in any aquarium. A single specimen in the midground creates a bold focal point. The species is also popular in outdoor tropical ponds where it produces beautiful white to pink flowers. Temperature tolerance extends slightly below the typical tropical range, surviving brief dips to 20°C. Compatible with all fish; the tough leaves resist damage from most species.

Further reading

• How to cycle a fish tank
• Water chemistry for fishkeepers: pH, GH, KH, and what they mean