Red Tiger Lotus Bulb for Natural Aquariums with Broad Mottled Red Leaves and a Striking Centerpiece Look
A red tiger lotus bulb grows into a bold aquarium centerpiece, bringing broad, mottled red leaves to a natural planted layout. Its potential size makes it best suited to tanks of 20 gallons or more, where it has room to spread.
Give this heavy root feeder a soil base beneath a sand cap. Nest the lower part of the bulb in the sand while keeping the top and shoots exposed so roots can grow down toward the soil. Trim surface leaves at their base to maintain a lower shape and allow light to reach plants below.
Features
- Broad mottled red foliage creates a focal point in an aquarium layout.
- Grows up to about 20 inches high and wide.
- Medium light is recommended; stronger light can deepen the red color.
- Surface leaves can be trimmed at the base to keep growth lower.
- The bulb may shed its leaves during a rest period and resprout later.
Specifications
- Included quantity: 1 red tiger lotus bulb
- Botanical identification: Nymphaea lotus sold as Nymphaea zenkeri
- Form: Red
- Potential size: Up to about 20 inches high and wide
- Recommended aquarium size: 20 gallons or more
- Lighting: Medium light
- Temperature: 72–82°F
- Planting setup: Soil base beneath a sand cap
- Bulb placement: Lower part in sand with the top and shoots exposed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a bulb or a fully grown red tiger lotus plant?
This item is one red tiger lotus bulb. It develops broad, mottled red leaves as it grows.
What size aquarium suits a red tiger lotus?
A red tiger lotus is best suited to an aquarium of 20 gallons or more because it can grow up to about 20 inches high and wide.
How should I plant the tiger lotus bulb?
Nest the lower part of the tiger lotus bulb in the sand cap and leave the top and shoots exposed. Use a soil base beneath the sand, and do not push the bulb down into the soil. If you cannot tell which way is up, float it until shoots appear.
How can I keep tiger lotus leaves from covering the surface?
Trim the tiger lotus surface leaves at their base to keep the plant lower and let light reach plants below. Leaves growing toward the surface are normal.
What light and temperature does this red tiger lotus need?
This red tiger lotus suits medium light and temperatures of 72–82°F. Stronger light can deepen its red color.
Can a tiger lotus grow back after losing its leaves?
A tiger lotus bulb can resprout after a rest period. Leaf loss may be part of that cycle, so leave the bulb in place rather than assuming it has died.