Nymphaea Zenkeri Tiger Lotus

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Zenker's Water Lily; Zenker Lily

Synonyms

Nymphaea lotus var. zenkeri

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, West Africa

Habitat

Still and slow-moving freshwater such as ponds, lakes, river margins, and seasonal flood pools in tropical West Africa

Sourcing

Aquacultured

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Easy

Growth form

Bulb

Max height

5 – 20 in (13 – 51 cm)

Spread

24 in (61 cm)

Growth rate

Fast

Placement

Midground, Background

Water

Temperature

72 – 82 °F (22 – 28 °C)

pH

6.0 – 7.5

GH

3 – 15 dGH

Flow

Low

Light

Medium

CO₂

Beneficial

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Roots

Fertilizer needs

High

Colors

Red, Green, Orange, Brown

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Rhizome division

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Care guide

Overview

Bulbs of this water lily come from the slow rivers and floodplains of West Africa, where the species grows across Nigeria, Cameroon, and Ghana. Aquarium-grown stock sprouts submerged leaves that redden with orange and brown mottling under stronger light and root feeding. Expect fast growth, a heavy appetite for root tabs, and regular trimming to stop petioles from reaching the surface.

Care

Tiger lotus is planted from a bulb rather than a rooted cutting, and it tolerates a wide swing of temperature, pH, and hardness once established. Under medium to high light the emerging leaves take on the deep red color with dark mottling that gives the plant its common name, while in dimmer tanks the foliage stays mostly green. Because it is a heavy root feeder, regular root tab dosing or a nutrient-rich substrate makes a noticeable difference in both growth rate and coloration.

Planting & trimming

Set the bulb on top of or partially into the substrate with roughly the top third to half exposed; burying it completely usually leads to rot. Once the root system is established it can be pushed deeper if desired, or simply left resting on the substrate weighted by a rock or piece of driftwood. Trim any leaf stem that starts heading toward the surface at its base to keep the plant compact and fully submerged, since surface leaves will otherwise shade the rest of the tank.

Fertilizing

Root tabs pushed near the bulb are the most effective way to feed this plant, since it draws the bulk of its nutrition through its root system rather than the water column. Iron supplementation in particular deepens the red and purple pigmentation of new leaves. In nutrient-poor inert substrate without supplementation, growth slows and leaves tend to stay small and pale green.

Propagation

The mother bulb produces daughter bulbs or lateral side shoots over time, which can be cut away once they have a few roots or leaves of their own and replanted elsewhere in the substrate. Mature plants may also flower and set seed, but this is uncommon in aquarium conditions and propagation is almost always done through bulb division.

Problems

A bulb planted too deep or fully buried is prone to rot instead of sprouting, so only the bottom portion should be pressed into the substrate with the crown left exposed. Insufficient light or nutrients causes weak, undersized leaves that lose their red coloration and revert to green. If left untrimmed the plant will send long petioles to the surface to form floating lily pads, which can shade out other plants in the tank.

Sources

1. Red Tiger Lotus (Nymphaea Zenkeri) Complete Care Sheet
2. Tiger lotus (Nymphaea zenkeri) - Scale & Stem
3. Red Tiger Lotus Care Guide – Planting, Growing, and Propagation - Shrimp and Snail Breeder
4. Tiger Lotus (Nymphaea zenkeri) – Care, Growth Tips, and Propagation

Varieties in the catalog

Nymphaea Tiger Lotus

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