A Tiger lotus either thrives or melts within the first month, and the difference is almost always down to three things you can control. The Nymphaea lotus 'Tiger' Tiger lotus is a workhorse plant for a reason: it tolerates a wide range of conditions and still looks good doing it.
At a glance
| Light | medium |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 22 to 28 °C |
| pH | 6.0 to 7.5 |
| Height | 30 to 50 cm |
| CO₂ | optional |
| Growth | fast |
Planting
Plant Tiger lotus with the crown or rhizome clear of the substrate — burying it rots the base. In a 38-gallon tank, position it mid-ground or background depending on its height. Weaker setups do fine; pair it with the aquarium test kit guide for a layered look.
Light and CO₂
Run 9 hours of light a day on a timer to avoid algae swings. Tiger lotus grows under medium light and optional, though a small, steady dose of liquid fertiliser every 3 weeks pushes denser growth.
Propagation
Bulbs send leaves up; trim to control spread.
Common issues
Yellowing lower leaves usually mean a nutrient gap, not too little light. Trim dying leaves at the base, keep nitrates around 10 to 20 ppm, and avoid moving the plant every week — the best fish for a 10-gallon tank (2026) explains why stability beats tinkering.
Why it suits beginners
The Tiger lotus tolerates the small mistakes new aquarists make: missed water changes, uneven light, the occasional algae bloom. Keep the crown above the substrate and do not move it every week.
