How much light does Red Tiger Lotus need?

Medium light, around 40–60 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ of PAR. Watts are not comparable between fixtures; PAR is. If the manufacturer does not publish PAR, pick one band lower than the tank depth suggests.

Does Red Tiger Lotus need CO₂?

It is optional. Marked "optional": with CO₂ it grows faster and tighter, without it still does fine.

What water does Red Tiger Lotus want?

22–28 °C, pH 6–7.5, 3–12 dGH. At 9 dGH wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.

How fast does Red Tiger Lotus grow, and where does it go?

Growth rate: medium. Placement: midground / specimen. Substrate: substrate required, reaching about 15–40 cm. Difficulty: beginner.

G-02 / 09Freshwater

Red Tiger Lotus红虎耳

Nymphaea zenkeri · Nymphaeaceae

A red water lily whose bulb must stay a third above the substrate, and whose floating leaves have to be cut for the submersed ones to last.

Illustration to come

G-02 / 09 · Red Tiger Lotus Nymphaea zenkeri

SpecificationsPlant atlas

Name: 红虎耳
Scientific name: Nymphaea zenkeri
Family: Nymphaeaceae
Origin: Still waters with muddy bottoms in West Africa (Nigeria, Cameroon)
Light: Medium light
PAR: 40–60
CO₂: Optional
Hardness: 3–12 dGH
Growth: Medium
Placement: Midground / Specimen
Substrate: Substrate required
Height: 15–40 cm
Level: Beginner

Water requirementsFreshwater

Temp.22–28 °C

pH6–7.5

Hardness3–12 dGH

Alkalinity2–8 dKH

Units: temperature in °C, hardness in German degrees (dGH / dKH), marine salinity as specific gravity at 25 °C, volume in litres. These are the values recorded for the species and do not follow the site unit switcher.

Growing notes

1Bury only two-thirds of the bulb and leave a third in open water, since a fully buried bulb rots; put root tabs around it.
2It keeps sending up floating leaves, so cut each one at the base of the stalk or the submersed leaves stop growing and shrink.
3Red is deepest under medium to strong light, and weak light makes the new leaves green and the stalks long.
4Iron shortage yellows between the veins and fades the red to pinkish white, while potassium shortage burns the leaf margins.
5It may rest for a month or two with all leaves gone; as long as the bulb is firm, keep the temperature steady and wait for it to sprout again.

Frequently asked questions

How much light does Red Tiger Lotus need?: Medium light, around 40–60 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ of PAR. Watts are not comparable between fixtures; PAR is. If the manufacturer does not publish PAR, pick one band lower than the tank depth suggests.
Does Red Tiger Lotus need CO₂?: It is optional. Marked "optional": with CO₂ it grows faster and tighter, without it still does fine.
What water does Red Tiger Lotus want?: 22–28 °C, pH 6–7.5, 3–12 dGH. At 9 dGH wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.
How fast does Red Tiger Lotus grow, and where does it go?: Growth rate: medium. Placement: midground / specimen. Substrate: substrate required, reaching about 15–40 cm. Difficulty: beginner.