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Nymphaea lotus

Choose the supplied form for your aquarium

Choose the supplied form for your aquarium

Over 1,700 sold
Regular price
£6.99
Regular price
Sale price
£6.99
Supplied as

    Still choosing?

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    Description

    Choose how your Nymphaea lotus is supplied:

    • Bulb only: one dormant bulb without established leaves. Allow several weeks for growth to begin.
    • Bulb with leaves: one bulb already in active leaf growth. Supplied without a nursery pot.
    • Potted: one established plant supplied in a 5cm nursery pot. Remove the pot and growing medium carefully before planting.

    Leaf colour, size and growth vary naturally. Photos show typical examples rather than the exact plant supplied.

    Nymphaea lotus (tiger lotus) is one of the most visually striking aquarium bulb plants, producing large, broad leaves with distinctive colouration that ranges from green with dark spots and mottling to deep red or purple depending on the variety. In an open-top aquarium the plant will eventually produce floating surface pads and flowers. As a submerged plant, regular trimming of any surface growth encourages a denser, more manageable spread of submerged leaves below the waterline.

    It grows in medium light without CO2 injection and does best in a nutrient-rich substrate. Nymphaea lotus is a vigorous grower that can dominate a tank if left unchecked — regular removal of surface leaves channels the plant's energy into submerged growth and keeps it proportionate. With management it is a spectacular background plant.

    Plant in substrate leaving the top third of the bulb exposed. Suited to aquariums of 100 litres and above as a focal point background plant where its large, bold leaves create maximum impact.

    Our Delivery Promise To You

    We pack every order carefully at our UK facility and dispatch quickly, so your plants and aquarium products reach you in the best possible condition.

    Order before 4pm Monday to Friday and we’ll dispatch the same day where possible. Most orders arrive within 1-2 working days.

    If something goes wrong in transit, get in touch and we’ll help put it right.

    Nymphaea lotus Bulb - Aqua Essentials
    Nymphaea lotus
    Nymphaea lotus
    Nymphaea lotus Bulb WITH LEAVES - Aqua Essentials
    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 with leaves Potted (Tiger Lotus) Tropica
    Nymphaea lotus with leaves Potted (Tiger Lotus) Tropica

    Customers said the bulbs arrived healthy and well-packaged. "Growth on this plant is like nothing I have ever seen," noted one shopper. Most bulbs sprouted within days to weeks, producing beautiful red leaves. However, some experienced slow or no growth, and a few faced issues with fungus or color variation. Growth rates vary significantly, requiring patience.

    • Growth on this plant is like nothing I have ever seen, looks absolutely fabulous and very red
    • It's a fast grower and already puts on an amazing display with red and green striped leaves
    • The bulb was the size of a golf ball and has put out 5 new leaves since receiving it last week
    • 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.

    Skip to product information
    1 of 7

    Nymphaea lotus

    Choose the supplied form for your aquarium

    Ask a question Over 1,700 sold
    Regular price
    £6.99
    Regular price
    Sale price
    £6.99
    • Out of stock
    Supplied as

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

    Shop similar products
    Nymphaea lotus Bulb - Aqua Essentials
    Nymphaea lotus
    Nymphaea lotus
    Nymphaea lotus Bulb WITH LEAVES - Aqua Essentials
    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 with leaves Potted (Tiger Lotus) Tropica
    Nymphaea lotus with leaves Potted (Tiger Lotus) Tropica

    Complete your setup

    Useful additions for this product

    Useful additions for this product

    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
    £8.99
    Superfish Aquarium Plant Tweezers Recommended size
    £5.99
    Useful additions for this product Carefully packed with your plants Specialist aquarium plant care
    Bundle offers

    Description

    Choose how your Nymphaea lotus is supplied:

    • Bulb only: one dormant bulb without established leaves. Allow several weeks for growth to begin.
    • Bulb with leaves: one bulb already in active leaf growth. Supplied without a nursery pot.
    • Potted: one established plant supplied in a 5cm nursery pot. Remove the pot and growing medium carefully before planting.

    Leaf colour, size and growth vary naturally. Photos show typical examples rather than the exact plant supplied.

    Nymphaea lotus (tiger lotus) is one of the most visually striking aquarium bulb plants, producing large, broad leaves with distinctive colouration that ranges from green with dark spots and mottling to deep red or purple depending on the variety. In an open-top aquarium the plant will eventually produce floating surface pads and flowers. As a submerged plant, regular trimming of any surface growth encourages a denser, more manageable spread of submerged leaves below the waterline.

    It grows in medium light without CO2 injection and does best in a nutrient-rich substrate. Nymphaea lotus is a vigorous grower that can dominate a tank if left unchecked — regular removal of surface leaves channels the plant's energy into submerged growth and keeps it proportionate. With management it is a spectacular background plant.

    Plant in substrate leaving the top third of the bulb exposed. Suited to aquariums of 100 litres and above as a focal point background plant where its large, bold leaves create maximum impact.

    Common Questions

    How is the plant supplied?

    Choose Bulb only for a dormant bulb without established leaves, or Bulb with leaves for a bulb already growing leaves. Potted is an established plant in a 5cm nursery pot. Remove the pot and growing medium before planting. Each option supplies one plant or bulb. Growth and leaf colour vary naturally.

    What colour will the leaves be?

    Colouration varies by variety — from green with dark mottling to deep red or purplish. Bright light tends to produce richer, darker colouration.

    How do I plant the bulb?

    Plant in substrate leaving the top third of the bulb above the surface. Never bury it completely.

    How do I keep it from taking over?

    Trim floating surface leaves regularly — this channels the plant's energy into submerged growth and keeps the plant from spreading aggressively.

    Does it need CO2?

    Not required — it grows in medium light without CO2. A nutrient-rich substrate gives the best results.

    Customers said the bulbs arrived healthy and well-packaged. "Growth on this plant is like nothing I have ever seen," noted one shopper. Most bulbs sprouted within days to weeks, producing beautiful red leaves. However, some experienced slow or no growth, and a few faced issues with fungus or color variation. Growth rates vary significantly, requiring patience.

    • Growth on this plant is like nothing I have ever seen, looks absolutely fabulous and very red
    • It's a fast grower and already puts on an amazing display with red and green striped leaves
    • The bulb was the size of a golf ball and has put out 5 new leaves since receiving it last week
    • 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.