tiger water lily

Nymphaea lotus

📍 West Africa (Sierra Leone to Nigeria)

Tiger water lily is a stunning rooted aquatic plant featuring deep green leaves with distinctive reddish-brown tiger-stripe markings and burgundy undersides. It produces beautiful red or pink flowers above the water surface and serves as an excellent focal point and shelter plant in larger aquariums.

Size12"

Min Tank20g

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Care Guide

Diet

Tiger water lily is a rooted plant requiring nutrient-rich substrate and regular fertilization. It absorbs nutrients primarily through its roots, benefiting from all-in-one fertilizers or separate macro/micronutrient dosing. Good lighting and stable water conditions promote vigorous growth and flowering.

Behavior

This plant grows as a rosette from a rhizome, developing large leaves that spread horizontally and may reach the water surface in deeper tanks. It prefers midground to background placement and can dominate space, so regular pruning of older leaves maintains tank aesthetics. Growth rate is moderate to fast under optimal conditions.

Breeding

Tiger water lily reproduces via runners that develop plantlets, which can be separated and replanted once they establish roots. Flowering is possible in established tanks with excellent light and nutrients, though seed production is rare in aquariums. Vegetative propagation via runners is the most reliable method for hobbyists.

Common Diseases

Leaf melt

Symptoms

Rapid deterioration and dissolution of leaves, often following transport or major water parameter changes

Treatment

Maintain stable water conditions, ensure adequate lighting and nutrients, remove affected leaves, and avoid drastic parameter shifts

Algae overgrowth

Symptoms

Green or brown algae coating leaves, reducing photosynthesis and plant vigor

Treatment

Reduce lighting duration, increase water changes, add algae-eating fish or shrimp, and manually remove affected leaves

Nutrient deficiency

Symptoms

Yellowing leaves, stunted growth, pale coloration, and loss of distinctive tiger markings

Treatment

Dose all-in-one fertilizer or separate macro/micronutrients according to package directions; improve substrate fertility with root tabs

Rhizome rot

Symptoms

Soft, blackened rhizome; foul odor; plant collapse despite healthy leaves

Treatment

Improve water circulation, reduce organic waste buildup, ensure substrate is not compacted, and consider replanting in fresh substrate if salvageable

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Quick Facts

diet: Macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) via substrate fertilization or liquid fertilizers; micronutrients (iron, boron, manganese); benefits from moderate lighting (2-3 watts per gallon) and optional CO2 supplementation.
lifespan: 5-10 years
max size: 30 cm (12 in)
tank size: 20 gallons minimum