Tiger lotus

Overview

Tiger lotus (Nymphaea zenkeri) is a spectacular bulb plant grown for its broad, heart-shaped leaves marked with dark “tiger” mottling. It comes in green and red forms, with the red variety turning a rich burgundy under good light. It grows from a bulb and can be kept two ways: as a bushy submerged plant, or allowed to send lily pads to the surface. It is easy and forgiving, but has one behaviour every keeper should plan for — its urge to shoot pads up to the top of the tank, which you control with scissors.

Planting & placement

Tiger lotus grows from a bulb. Set the bulb on top of or just barely into the substrate with any growing tip pointing up — never bury it fully, or it rots. It makes a bold midground or background feature and needs room, as the leaves spread wide. Because it feeds heavily through its roots, planting it in or near nutrient-rich soil helps. See how to plant aquarium plants for bulb handling and aquascaping for beginners for using it as a focal point.

Light, CO2 & ferts

Tiger lotus is easy but light-responsive. Medium-to-high light brings out the red colour and tiger striping; low light keeps it greener and can push it to reach for the surface. It needs no CO2, though CO2 boosts vigour. Above all it is a root and bulb feeder: push root tabs into the substrate near the base, and support the fast leaves with a modest liquid fertilizer from our best plant fertilizer picks.

Propagation & problems

Tiger lotus propagates through its bulb, which produces daughter plants and side shoots; you can also let it flower at the surface. To multiply it, separate a well-rooted daughter plant and replant it. The main “problems” are really just its habits — surface pads (trim them) and rot from burying the bulb too deep (plant it shallow). Give it light, feed the roots, and keep the pads in check, and tiger lotus is one of the most dramatic centrepiece plants an easy setup can grow.