Tiger Lotus care guide
Nymphaea lotus (syn. N. zenkeri) · Nymphaeaceae
Tiger Lotus (Nymphaea lotus (syn. N. zenkeri)) is an aquatic plant. It belongs to the Nymphaeaceae family. It is native to Tropical and southern Africa, Madagascar and Egypt (aquarium stock usually from West Africa) – lakes and seasonal ponds. Red and green tiger lotus are colour forms of the same species. It needs medium light. Water temperature: 22°C – 28°C. pH: 6.0 – 8.0. Care difficulty: Easy (its size is the main challenge). Growth rate: fast (once established).
How do you care for Tiger Lotus?
| Light | Medium (tolerates low light, but medium to high light plus iron gives the strongest red, clearer spotting and fewer floating pads) |
|---|---|
| CO₂ | Helpful, not required |
| Temperature | 22°C – 28°C |
| pH | 6.0 – 8.0 |
| Placement | Midground to background, as a solitary focal plant in large tanks |
| Growth | Fast (once established) |
| Difficulty | Easy (its size is the main challenge) |
| Family | Nymphaeaceae |
How do you trim and propagate Tiger Lotus?
Cut floating-leaf stems at the base if you want a submersed-only plant — doing it from the start trains a bushier underwater rosette; remove leaves that reach the surface so they don’t shade plants below. Propagate from daughter bulbs on runners (detach once rooted), or from seed if you let pads grow so it flowers; dividing the mother bulb works but is risky.
What problems affect Tiger Lotus?
All leaves dying back leaving only the bulb — dormancy, often after a cold spell or stress; a soft, rotting bulb from burying it too deep; floating pads shading the tank — natural habit, encouraged by weak light; crowding out other plants through fast growth and a big root system.
How do you fix Tiger Lotus problems?
Leave the bulb in place (or store it damp) — it usually resprouts after one to a few months; set the bulb only a third to half into the substrate with the top and shoots exposed; trim pad stems at the base and raise light to reduce pads; prune regularly and consider a pot to contain the roots. Put root tabs beside the bulb plus complete liquid fertiliser; extra iron improves the red.
Where does Tiger Lotus come from?
Tropical and southern Africa, Madagascar and Egypt (aquarium stock usually from West Africa) – lakes and seasonal ponds. Red and green tiger lotus are colour forms of the same species
What should you know before buying Tiger Lotus?
Naturalised outside Africa (e.g. Florida, Louisiana, Brazil, Colombia). Never release plants or bulbs into natural waters.
Sources
- Nymphaea lotus L. - World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew) via GBIF — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew / GBIF
- Nymphaea zenkeri Gilg (synonym of Nymphaea lotus var. lotus) - WCVP via GBIF — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew / GBIF
- Nymphaea lotus — Tropica Aquarium Plants
- Nymphaea lotus 'rot' — Flowgrow Aquatic Plant Database
- Nymphaea lotus 'grün' — Flowgrow Aquatic Plant Database
- How to Care for a Tiger Lotus (Nymphaea zenkeri) in Aquariums — Aquarium Co-Op
- Red Tiger Lotus Care Guide — Shrimp and Snail Breeder
- Nymphaea lotus — Wikipedia
- Súng sen — Wikipedia tiếng Việt
Care details checked against these sources on 2026-09-23.
Last updated · Open the interactive 3D guide · All species care guides