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Nymphaea lotus Potted

Dramatic spotted lily-pad leaves on an easy Nymphaea lotus tiger lotus plant

Dramatic spotted lily-pad leaves on an easy Nymphaea lotus tiger lotus plant

Over 1,000 sold
Regular price
£15.99
Regular price
Sale price
£15.99
  • Hurry, only 5 items left in stock!
Quick Facts

Common name: Tiger Lotus

Origin: Africa

Position in Aquarium: Mid/background

Grows up to (cm): 80 cm

Pot Size: 5 cm

Growth rate: Fast

Description

Nymphaea lotus, the tiger lotus, is a spectacular bulb plant from Africa and Southeast Asia producing large, round to slightly wavy lily-pad-style leaves in deep green or red-brown depending on the form, often with distinctive dark spotting that gives the plant its common name. It is a dramatic and visually imposing background plant capable of producing very large leaves that spread across the upper section of the aquarium.

It is a remarkably easy plant for its size and visual impact. Growing from a bulb, it tolerates low light and grows without CO2 injection, drawing much of its nutrition from the substrate and water column. It is a fast grower when established, so regular removal of the tallest leaves that reach the surface is recommended to maintain the desired aquarium appearance and prevent it from blocking light to lower plants.

Supplied as an established potted plant, Nymphaea lotus suits aquariums from 80 litres upward. Its bold, dramatic leaves and easy care make it a striking background feature plant for community aquariums, biotope set-ups, and low-tech planted tanks where a large, visually impressive species is needed.

Note: the image shows a typical sized plant but as we are not the growers, we have no control over these sizes. Sometimes they are bigger, often smaller, so just wanted to give you a heads up.

Plant Sizes

You’ll receive a healthy, rooted plant in a pot, similar to those shown. Each one is hand-checked before dispatch.

Shipping

Same-day dispatch on orders placed before 4pm, Monday to Friday. Tracked 24 Service from £4.99, DPD Express from £6.99.

Nymphaea lotus with leaves Potted (Tiger Lotus) Tropica
Nymphaea lotus with leaves Potted (Tiger Lotus) Tropica
Nymphaea lotus with leaves Potted (Tiger Lotus) Tropica
Nymphaea lotus Potted
Nymphaea lotus with leaves Potted (Tiger Lotus) Tropica
Nymphaea lotus with leaves Potted (Tiger Lotus) Tropica

Customers praised this aquatic lily for its "deep red colour" and fast growth, with "6-7 massive leaves" arriving well-packaged. Shoppers noted "new leaves" within days and healthy roots. Most found it "excellent quality," though rare issues included damaged leaves during delivery and one delivery mishap.

  • Beautiful plant! Such a deep red colour and gives such a statement in the tank!
  • Excellent quality, very healthy, and arrived with 6-7 massive leaves.
  • After only two weeks it has grown so big that I even trimmed one leaf
  • 5 stars: 46 (66%)
  • 4 stars: 12 (17%)
  • 3 stars: 9 (13%)
  • 2 stars: 1 (1%)
  • 1 star: 2 (3%)
Some of the reviews shown are from related products the merchant grouped with this one.
J
Jordan E.
Fit:
Very bad
Very good
Lovely plant

Lovely plant. Arrived well packaged. Alot bigger than I thought it would be with 4 or 5 nice big leaves. Its been in my tank for 2 weeks and has already given three new red leaves. Very happy with my purchase

P
Phillip B. (Worcester, GB)
Fit:
Very bad
Very good
Lovely lotus about 8” high with good roots

Lovely healthy lotus about 8” high with good roots. Plenty of leave and after a week or so of being in the tank it’s kicking out new growth. Great quality and service from AquaEssentials as usual.

N
Natalya s. (Croydon, GB)
Best purchase!!!! Definitely worth it

Beautiful plant ! Such a deep red colour and gives such a statement in the tank ! The fish love their new addition too
I always get such healthy plants from here !

G
Glen C. (Haywards Heath, GB)

Fantastic plant arrived in fabulous condition and as you can see amazing growth already after 20 days aqua essentials are number one for aquarium plants

A
Anonymous (Gloucester, GB)
Top Quality Lily

Top Quality Lily A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++.

R
Robert W.

Next day delivery. Very well packaged

S
Stewart B. (Sandhurst, GB)
Good size quality

Good size quality plant

S
Stewart

Good size looks healthy

S
Susan

It has a tiny root very healthy looking

J
J.B.

Healthy looking plant. Doing well

R
Roslyn C. (Bristol, GB)
Really good sized plant and healthy roots

Time will tell if it survives my giant snail... in retrospect I probably should have researched 'not a snail's favourite snack' plants...

J
John B.B. (Edinburgh, GB)
The good the bad and the good

Received my 2 lotus bulbs , 1 large one and the other a bit smaller, put them in my betta tank, after a good few days they both were showing signs of growth with tiny leaves beginning to show, unfortunately the large bulb also started to show a white fungus growth, so I dipped the bulb in a bleach dip (1-5 parts strength) for 2 minutes, then put it in a freshwater dip and left it there for a day, but the fungus was still growing, again a bleach dip this time for a good 5-6 minutes and after that returned to a freshwater dip and left for 3 days, it killed the fungus, I’ve returned the bulb back into my betta tank with so far 1 new leaf starting to grow, so all good now. 👍

R
Richard

This has been delivered to the wrong address, and I don't know where.

l
lynden b. (Ilford, GB)
Great quality plants

Plants arrive in great condition. All plants were bigger than what I expected. There was no dead leaves or pests and all great colour.

J
Joshua v.E.
Beautiful, 6-7 leaves and flourishing

Excellent quality, very healthy, and arrived with 6-7 massive leaves. Taking over my tank already, and it has only been a week!

W
William M. (Partridge Green, GB)
Excellent

Ordered a selection of aquatic plants from aquaessentials and they were all in great condition and will be using again

P
PHILLIP H. (Bournemouth, GB)
Fishtail

Plants arrived in good shape settled in tank now growing up

i
ian d.
Review

As usual another excellent plant from A E.It arrived quickly and in great condition with several leaves and within a week had sent out new leaves and looks fantastic in my aquarium.Highly recommend.

M
Marcia H.
Review

This is a wonderfully fast growing plant, ideal for a newly planted tank. It arrived with a few small limp leaves but within two days it had perked up and I could see new shoots. After only two weeks it has grown so big that I even trimmed one leaf which had grown to more than three inches long and wide. I swear you can see it growing as you watch! The under side of the leaves are a lovely iridescent pink, it is really stunning.

L
Linda T.
Review

I purchased two of these, one of them took a little longer to sprout and I thought it might be dead - but it was just a slow to get going, now both seem healthy and are growing fast!

J
James W.
Review

Added to the tank 2 weeks ago, leaves are now starting to grow properly, nice and easy to add to the tank

M
Mark P.
Review

Can't really say much yet, bulb came well packaged. Been in tank a couple of weeks now but only a few small sprouts showing so far.

N
Nicholas H.
Review

Started growing a few hours after I added it to my tank. Nearly a month later and the leaves are at about 2 inches. Great fun watching it grow as there's noticeable difference each day. Only reason it's not 5 stars is because It's made the one side of my tank look quite bare as you'll need to make room for its eventual size. Perhaps it's unfair to not give a full 5 stars. But y'know picky planted tank keepers *eye roll* ????

J
Jerry H.
Review

Took 2 weeks to sprout but looks great once it did

s
sheila C.
Review

Arrived looking very healthy but so far haven't done very much. Still live in hope

G
George B.
Review

Probably a bit too early to review.
Started sprouting quite quickly but kept getting moved around by fish so anchored it down with pebbles.
No seems to be growing vigorously with leaves and shoots. Looking forward to leaves reaching top of tank and maybe flowers.
If that happens would definitely give five stars.

r
robin h.
Review

Unfortunately the leaves to this plant were rotted and black slime... Not a good traveller... Im hoping the bulb might re sprout.

D
Donato N.
Review

Been in my tank a month and it hasn't flowered

T
Tanya J.
Review

Arrived quicker than stated, and was well packaged protecting the plants. I am very pleased with the plants, they had a good established root system and the leaves were healthy and unmanaged from the transit. I can’t fault this company and their plants

A
Agostinho U.
Review

I cannot really comment and therefore give a mid point mark. There was no growth after a few days - perhaps not yet. Then one day I saw my shrimps were actually grazing on the bulbs!! Avoid it if you have bulb as it will become very expensive slack.

Product FAQs

Helpful details before you buy.

Does Nymphaea lotus need CO2?

No. Tiger lotus is an easy and adaptable plant that grows well without CO2 injection, even in low light. It is a good choice for low-tech planted aquariums.

Will it take over the aquarium?

If leaves are allowed to reach the surface they can spread across the top of the water and shade lower plants. Regular removal of the tallest leaves keeps the plant manageable.

What colours does it come in?

Tiger lotus typically comes in green or red-brown forms, both with distinctive dark spotting on the leaves. The red form develops more pigmentation under brighter light.

How do I care for the bulb?

Do not bury the bulb deeply — set it on or just below the substrate surface. The roots and leaves will develop naturally from the bulb once it is settled.

Is it suitable for community tanks?

Yes. Tiger lotus is safe with all fish and invertebrates, and its large leaves provide excellent shelter for fish and fry.

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Nymphaea lotus Potted

Dramatic spotted lily-pad leaves on an easy Nymphaea lotus tiger lotus plant

Ask a question Over 1,000 sold
Easy care Low light CO2 not required Background plant
Regular price
£15.99
Regular price
Sale price
£15.99
  • In stock — 5 available

In-stock orders normally dispatch before 4pm, Monday–Friday. Delivery details

Nymphaea lotus with leaves Potted (Tiger Lotus) Tropica
Nymphaea lotus with leaves Potted (Tiger Lotus) Tropica
Nymphaea lotus with leaves Potted (Tiger Lotus) Tropica
Nymphaea lotus Potted
Nymphaea lotus with leaves Potted (Tiger Lotus) Tropica
Nymphaea lotus with leaves Potted (Tiger Lotus) Tropica

Complete your setup

Useful additions for your aquarium

Care essentials chosen for this plant

Healthier plants
Brighter results
Neutro T Aquarium Plant Fertiliser Recommended size
£10.99
Root nutrition Neutro TerraTabs - Root Tabs for Planted Aquariums

Long-lasting nutrition
for strong, healthy roots.

Recommended size
£9.99
Superfish Aquarium Plant Tweezers Recommended size
£5.99
Useful additions for planting day Carefully packed with your plants Specialist aquarium plant care
Bundle offers

About this plant

Nymphaea lotus, the tiger lotus, is a spectacular bulb plant from Africa and Southeast Asia producing large, round to slightly wavy lily-pad-style leaves in deep green or red-brown depending on the form, often with distinctive dark spotting that gives the plant its common name. It is a dramatic and visually imposing background plant capable of producing very large leaves that spread across the upper section of the aquarium.

It is a remarkably easy plant for its size and visual impact. Growing from a bulb, it tolerates low light and grows without CO2 injection, drawing much of its nutrition from the substrate and water column. It is a fast grower when established, so regular removal of the tallest leaves that reach the surface is recommended to maintain the desired aquarium appearance and prevent it from blocking light to lower plants.

Supplied as an established potted plant, Nymphaea lotus suits aquariums from 80 litres upward. Its bold, dramatic leaves and easy care make it a striking background feature plant for community aquariums, biotope set-ups, and low-tech planted tanks where a large, visually impressive species is needed.

Note: the image shows a typical sized plant but as we are not the growers, we have no control over these sizes. Sometimes they are bigger, often smaller, so just wanted to give you a heads up.

Product FAQs

Does Nymphaea lotus need CO2?

No. Tiger lotus is an easy and adaptable plant that grows well without CO2 injection, even in low light. It is a good choice for low-tech planted aquariums.

Will it take over the aquarium?

If leaves are allowed to reach the surface they can spread across the top of the water and shade lower plants. Regular removal of the tallest leaves keeps the plant manageable.

What colours does it come in?

Tiger lotus typically comes in green or red-brown forms, both with distinctive dark spotting on the leaves. The red form develops more pigmentation under brighter light.

How do I care for the bulb?

Do not bury the bulb deeply — set it on or just below the substrate surface. The roots and leaves will develop naturally from the bulb once it is settled.

Is it suitable for community tanks?

Yes. Tiger lotus is safe with all fish and invertebrates, and its large leaves provide excellent shelter for fish and fry.