I have killed more Tiger lotus than I care to admit, usually by overthinking the light and underwatering the root zone at the same time. 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 |
Light and CO₂
Run 8 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.
Planting
Plant Tiger lotus with the crown or rhizome clear of the substrate — burying it rots the base. In a 26-gallon tank, position it mid-ground or background depending on its height. Weaker setups do fine; pair it with the Ludwigia Arcuata Guide walkthrough for a layered look.
CO₂ dosing notes
With a small, steady CO₂ dose the Tiger lotus deepens in colour and fills in faster. Set the bubble rate to your tank litres, keep the current gentle, and stay alert for algae when light and CO₂ disagree.
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 Why Is My Fish Not Eating? walkthrough explains why stability beats tinkering.
Propagation
Bulbs send leaves up; trim to control spread.
