Nymphaea lotus

Nymphaea lotus, a tropical waterlily species, is widespread in Africa. Imported as Nymphaea zenkeri and Tiger lotus from West Africa for a long time, it is the most popular waterlily species in the aquarium hobby. Ist leaves and roots arise from a tuber-like rhizome. It is a plant with floating leaves as well as other waterlilies but also develops large, round submerged leaves with brown spots and stripes. These make it a gorgeous, up to about 50 cm high and broad specimen plant that needs a corresponding space. With its big, round leaves with brown spots and stripes the Tiger lotus is recommendable as a gorgeous specimen plant in larger tanks. Depending on the ground colour of the submerged leaves, the plants are often distinguished in "Red" and "Green Tiger Lotus", but actually the plants delivered from the nurseries show all transitions and nuances from reddish-green to red, also influenced by the light intensity. Especially when the plant develops floating leaves, also ist beautiful white, fragrant flowers may appear which are open at night (from evening to late morning).

The Tiger lotus has no special demands, but should be planted in a free, well-lit place. Nutrient-rich substrate is very beneficial for its growth, but vigorously growing plants tend to develop long-stalked floating leaves, blocking out the light. To prevent this, long stalked leaves should be removed as soon as possible. However, if the plant is allowed to grow with floating leaves, one can expect ist flowers. Temperatures between 22 and 28 °C are optimal.
It may happen sometimes that the plant sheds all leaves. One or several tubers remain in the substrate. When they are solid tot he touch, they are still alive and may sprout again after some time.
Tiger lotus is also delivered as leafless or just sprouting tuber. The latter is shallowly buried into the substrate. When sprouting, a short shoot appears with a rooted leaf rosette developing at the top. This young plantlet breaks off from the mother tuber easily but is already viable and can grow independently. It develops a tuber for itself during growth. The old mother tuber may produce further shoots when it is still alive.

We offer Nymphaea lotus as potted plant with leaves and as tuber. The delivered tuber may be totally leafless or more or less sprouted. For transport reasons, we deliver the tuber in a pot with rockwool.