Nymphaea zenkeri 'Red', Nymphaea lotus, Red tiger lotus, Tiger lotus
Family
Nymphaeaceae (water lily family)
Origin
Tropical Africa
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
80 cm
Temperature
22–28°C
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
Medium light; CO2 not needed
Care
Nymphaea zenkeri is sold as red tiger lotus, usually as Nymphaea zenkeri 'Red'. Botanists now treat Nymphaea zenkeri as a synonym of Nymphaea lotus, the tiger lotus, so this is the red form of that species. We have kept the trade name as the page title. It grows from a bulb-like rhizome and makes rounded, deep red underwater leaves, often blotched darker. Grow it as a single centrepiece in a large tank; plants can reach 20–80 cm. Push the bulb into a rich substrate with its top showing. It will eventually send up floating leaves; cut them off if you want to keep a compact, submerged plant. Tropica rates the tiger lotus medium difficulty with medium light and low CO2 needs, and sells it in red and green forms. Wikipedia gives warm water of 22–28 °C. Stronger light deepens the red colour. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nymphaealotus); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.
Breeding
Cut free the plantlets that form on runners from mature plants once they have their own roots and leaves.
Compatibility and tank mates
Large cichlids may uproot young bulbs and goldfish eat the leaves. Floating leaves shade other plants. Suits tropical community tanks.
Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.
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