Plant Profiles

Nymphaea lotus 'Red'

Live freshwater plant Nymphaea lotus 'red' - Red Tiger Lotus for fish tanks and aquariums Large bunch or portion of aquatic plant Nymphaea lotus 'red' - Red Tiger Lotus. Aquarium plant with fast delivery across Australia.
Nymphaea lotus 'red'
Red Tiger Lotus
$36.95

The Red Tiger Lotus, is a popular and striking centerpiece plant in the hobby. It is native to Africa and can grow to be quite large, making it a good choice for larger aquariums or even outdoor ponds.

Under high lighting the plant's underwater leaves will turn a deep red or maroon colour, contrasting with the greens of the other plants in the tank. These underwater leaves are round to oval in shape, and are flecked with spots on the upper surface. The Red Tiger Lotus benefits from a nutrient-rich substrate and supplemental CO2 and iron are also recommended.

It is important to note that the plant can grow quite quickly and may require pruning to prevent it from taking over the aquarium. Pruning the new shoots towards the surface of the water is essential to maintain its large, soft, underwater leaf form and prevent the growth of lilypads, which can sometimes be problematic in aquaria. If established lilypads are already present, make sure you leave them on the plant! Simply snip off any new shoots that look like they are destined for the surface, and before long the plant will only produce underwater leaves again.

For ponds however, the lilypads are of course very desirable. Without regular trimming almost all water lilies will eventually change into their mature form, with lilypads and a thick tuberous rhizome. The leaves of the water lily provides shelter for fish and other aquatic creatures in the pond, while also creating shade which can reduce algae. This is a night-blooming water lily with white flowers.

The Red Tiger Lotus makes a beautiful addition to larger aquascapes, providing a pop of colour and drawing the eye with its unique large leaves.

Requirements and information

Temperature:

TropicalWarmCold

Substrate type:

CoarseFine

Substrate nutrients:

High

Water nutrients:

Medium

Light demand:

Low

CO2:

Low

Height:

Tall

Growth rate:

Moderate

Growth habit:

Rosette

Floating

Difficulty:

Easy

Native to: