Tiger Lotus Care Guide – Planting, Growing, and Propagation

Tiger Lotus Care Guide – Planting, Growing, and Propagation

When choosing a plant for a freshwater aquarium, we have almost unlimited options. We can pick the color and shape to match the overall design of our aquarium. One very interesting plant to consider today is the Tiger Lotus.

It is a relatively easy plant to maintain, yet it’s very striking. It has wide, wavy leaves that will give your aquarium a stunning look.

Its popularity mainly comes from the plant’s unique appearance.

Scientific NameNymphaea lotus
FamilyNymphaeaceae
OriginAfrica (especially West Africa)
Common NamesTiger Lotus, Dwarf Tiger Lotus, Red Tiger Lotus
Care LevelEasy to Moderate
Growth RateFast
Height20-80 cm (8-32 inches
Water ConditionspH 5.5-7.5; Soft to moderately hard water (2-15 dGH)
LightingModerate to High
CO2Not required but beneficial for faster growth
Tank PlacementMidground to Background (depending on size)

Overview

This plant comes from West Africa. In this part of the continent, its ancestors, belonging to the species Nymphaea zenkeri, grow in shallow rivers, streams, and lakes.

As I mentioned earlier, it is mainly known for its beautiful wide leaves that resemble a lily.

The plant can range in color from green to deep red, depending on the nutrient conditions of the aquarium and the amount of light. These features make it popular among aquascapers.

tiger lotus bulb

It is easy to care for and generally adapts to all aquarium conditions. It grows well in both soft and moderately hard water. It grows quickly with moderate lighting, but with stronger light and additional supplements, you can significantly speed up its growth.

It can grow up to 32 inches tall. Depending on the effect you want you can place it in the middle or back of the aquarium.

This plant is also known as Tiger Lotus, Dwarf Tiger Lotus, or Red Tiger Lotus.

Characteristics

The tiger lotus is a truly impressive plant. Its rosette-shaped leaves have long stems and, in favorable conditions, can reach a diameter of 10 inches (25 cm). Sometimes, a single grown plant can reach up to 25 inches (60 cm) in diameter, making it a real standout in an aquarium.

tiger lotus bulb 2

It has two types of leaves. The first type is heart-shaped and grows close to the bulb, while the second type consists of floating leaves on long, thin stems that resemble water lily leaves on the surface of the water. The leaves are also slightly wavy in texture. In aquariums, you can find two color varieties: green and red.

In the green variety, the leaves are mostly green, sometimes with a slight yellowish tint, and have many small brown spots. The leaf stems are dark green or brown.

The red variety is more decorative and is recommended for Dutch-style aquariums. The red-brown leaves have dense, dark purple spots, and the stems are similar in color.

The tiger lotus produces a rhizome and a very strong root system, often spreading throughout the entire substrate of the tank. It also often blooms.

The flower appears above the water’s surface, is large, and has white or slightly pink petals with a yellow center and a delicate fragrance. A unique feature is that the flower opens only at night, around 6-8 PM, and closes in the morning, lasting for just four days.

Tank Requirements and Water parameters

Due to its size, the tiger lotus is suitable for large tanks, with a width and length of at least 15 inches in height. We must also ensure they have enough space to grow properly.

The key to success is selecting the right lighting, substrate, and fertilization methods, and combining these factors correctly.

It’s a common misconception that the tiger lotus has very high light requirements. This is only partly true. With medium lighting, you can still get good results, although its leaves will be smaller, and the colors will be less intense. In the green variety, the leaves will be pale, while the red variety will have more yellow tones.

If you want really large and thriving specimens, the light should be slightly stronger. A good rule of thumb is 1.3W LED per gallon (0.35W LED per liter of water).

The tiger lotus loves sunlight, so it’s recommended to have at least some natural light or use metal halide lamps. If you’re only using artificial light, it’s a good idea to include some bulbs that give off a slightly red hue.

Another important factor is choosing the right substrate. Many sources suggest that the substrate should be between 4 – 4,7 inches deep (10 – 12 cm).

Under these conditions, the lotus grows quickly but also starts producing floating leaves sooner. To slow down this process, it’s recommended to use a shallower substrate, around 2 inches (5 cm).

The substrate layer can include mineral base layers for plants. Older books mention enhancing gravel with weathered clay balls and peat. Lotus plants also grow well in low-tech aquariums with garden soil covered by a layer of washed gravel.

For proper growth, fertilization in the aquarium is important. You can use most fertilizers, but the best results come from directly enriching the substrate beneath the plant’s roots using fertilizer balls or sticks. For the red lotus variety, iron is an important nutrient, so it’s a good idea to supplement it with special liquid iron fertilizers.

Water quality isn’t overly critical. The temperature should be around 25°C, but in winter, it can drop slightly, to around 20–24°C.

This is especially important if you want your lotus to bloom regularly. Although the plant isn’t highly sensitive to temperature, large fluctuations can cause the plant to die, though the bulb will survive. Make sure temperature swings don’t occur in your tank.

Water hardness and pH aren’t very important, as long as the water isn’t too alkaline. The pH should be between 5.5 and 7.5.

Planting and Care

As I mentioned earlier, the lotus grows best in nutrient-rich soil. The bulb should be planted at a depth of 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm). It’s important to avoid planting it too shallow, as it could damage the bulb, but also not too deep, which could slow root growth.

It’s also a good idea to leave a small part of the bulb above the soil because burying it completely could cause it to rot.

As you know, tiger lotus can grow quite large, so make sure it has enough space to develop. Since the Tiger Lotus mainly feeds through its roots, it’s good to use fertilizer balls or sticks in the soil.

To maintain the proper red color, iron fertilization is necessary. Using CO2 isn’t required, but it can help speed up growth and enhance the color.

The key to growing tiger lotus, once you’ve provided optimal conditions, is controlling its growth so it doesn’t produce too many surface leaves, allowing it to keep more underwater leaves.

tiger lotus on the surface

You’ll need to carefully remove any surface leaves and regularly trim the plant’s root system. The easiest way to do this is by using long, sharp blades to occasionally loosen the soil around the plant and cut the longest roots, about  4 inches (10 cm). You can also use a long, sharp knife for this.

Any leaves that reach the surface can block light from other plants. Plus, those leaves will die, and any new leaves will also shoot toward the surface. That’s why it’s important to regularly limit the plant’s growth, as I’ll explain more below.

I know this process might seem time-consuming and requires some practice, but it’s really worth it. It not only guides the plant to produce more underwater leaves but also stimulates the appearance of young plantlets.

Another method is damaging the fine root hairs by gently pulling up the plant. To do this, gather all the leaves of the plant in your hands, grab below the base of the leaf blades, and gently but firmly pull upward to disturb the root system.

This method is easier but requires some skill to avoid overdoing it and completely damaging the roots.

Problems associated with Tiger Lotus

The plant comes with certain challenges. Typical care problems include:

Excessive growth

Under optimal conditions, the Tiger Lotus grows very fast, often reaching the water’s surface. At the surface, it produces large leaves that can block light for other plants.

The Tiger Lotus needs to be regularly trimmed so it doesn’t limit light and nutrient access for other plants.

If you don’t trim it often enough, you won’t get the desired effect that many aquarium enthusiasts aim for. If left untrimmed, the plant sends out long stems and grows even more leaves that compete for light (the long stems help it reach the light).

There’s also debate about the Tiger Lotus consuming nutrients aggressively, which may suppress the growth of nearby plants.

Additionally, it’s said that the plant may produce chemicals that prevent algae growth and possibly affect other plants too.

Shedding leaves

In lower temperatures or during certain seasons, the Tiger Lotus might drop its leaves and go into dormancy. Although the leaves usually grow back after some time, this can temporarily affect its aesthetic value.

Spots on leaves

While strong lighting can promote growth, it can also cause leaf burn. This can lead to streaks or spots on the leaves due to excessive lighting. The leaves closest to the light source are the most vulnerable.

Growth Rate and Propagation

The growth of a plant in an aquarium is very fast, especially in optimal conditions. If you provide the right light, nutrients, and water parameters, the plant can grow quickly, often producing new leaves within a few days or weeks.

Tiger lotus mainly reproduces through bulbs. After planting in the substrate, the bulb sprouts and grows leaves. Over time, it can also produce offshoots, which are small bulbs or seedlings that can be separated from the mother plant once roots develop.

lotus tiger

The best time for this is when the new seedlings are strong enough to survive on their own, which usually happens when they have at least 3-4 leaves.

When the plant grows leaves on the surface, it may bloom and produce seeds. This method is less reliable in aquarium conditions.

Aquascaping Uses

The best effect will be achieved if we plant the Tiger Lotus in the center of the aquarium, so it becomes one of the main decorative features.

We should plant it individually, never in bunches, so its fast-growing leaves have enough space, at least 15 inches by 15 inches.

It looks especially decorative against a background of dense, fine-leaved plants in contrasting colors, as well as decorative wood and roots.

Tank Mates

The Tiger Lotus is actually compatible with all other plants and fish because it creates a balanced environment. It can be kept with all small and peaceful fish, such as tetras, guppies, platies, rasboras, and danios.

In addition, larger fish like angelfish, discus, and loaches are also suitable. Various species of corydoras catfish will also be appropriate.

Besides fish, you can also have shrimp in the aquarium, such as neocaridina, caridina, amano shrimp, or ghost shrimp – the plant creates an ideal environment for them. Snails like nerite snails, ramshorn snails, and Malaysian trumpet snails are also ideal.

In general, most fish species that live in similar conditions to the Tiger Lotus will make good companions. However, some plecos or livebearers (like mollies) may nibble on the Tiger Lotus, especially if they don’t get enough plant-based food. Large cichlids may damage the root system by digging in the substrate.

Where to Buy

If you’re looking to buy a Tiger Lotus for your aquarium, there are several options available online. For example, Buce Plant offers a range of Tiger Lotus bulbs, including sprouted bulbs with leaves, making it easier to plant and grow in your tank. You can expect prices around $5.99 to $8.99, depending on whether the bulb has sprouted​

Another option is Aquarium Plants Factory, where they sell Red Tiger Lotus bulbs, also with a sprouted leaf option, for $8.99, often on sale from the regular price of $19.99​

Flip Aquatics also stocks Red Tiger Lotus and similar aquarium plants, with various shipping options and guarantees on live plant arrivals​

These vendors offer shipping across the U.S. and have a good reputation among aquarium enthusiasts. Be sure to review shipping policies and plant care guidelines before ordering to ensure successful delivery and growth in your aquarium.

Good local pet stores should also have this plant.

In conclusion

As you have already seen, Tiger lotus is not a difficult plant to grow. By providing the right conditions, you can achieve a truly stunning effect.

It looks amazing against the background of other dense plants. If you are a little patient, you will get a beautiful plant that may also give offspring.

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