Nymphaea micrantha (Nymphaea micrantha) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Nymphaea vivipara
Family
Nymphaeaceae (water lily family)
Origin
Tropical West Africa
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
80 cm
Temperature
22–28°C
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
Medium to high light; CO2 helpful

Care

Nymphaea micrantha is a small West African water lily, best known for its viviparous habit: little plantlets form on the top of the leaf where the stalk joins, and grow on once the leaf breaks off. Its oval to round leaves are about 8–12 cm long and the plant usually stands 20–80 cm tall, with flowers up to 10 cm across. It is one parent of the popular hybrid Nymphaea × daubenyana. Wikipedia notes it cannot be grown out of water. In a tank, treat it like other tropical lilies: plant the rhizome in a rich substrate in the midground or background, and trim floating leaves if you want to keep it submerged. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources, based on other tropical African lilies. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nymphaeamicrantha); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Detach leaves carrying plantlets and float them or pin them down; the plantlets root and grow once separated from the parent.

Compatibility and tank mates

Goldfish and large cichlids may eat or uproot it. Floating leaves shade the plants below. Suits tropical tanks.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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