The Red Tiger Lotus (Nymphaea Zenkeri) is a gorgeous tropical lily which is one of the most popular in the aquaria of hobbyists. They are fantastic solitary plants that will brighten up your tank with their reddish leaves, even growing flowers under the right conditions.
For whom is the Red Tiger Lotus suited?
There is a good reason these plants are so popular; they are incredibly easy to care for. They have no specific special needs. All they need is an open, well-lit space to grow. Fertilizer can be added to promote growth, but this is not necessary for these plants to thrive.
What are they like?
You could promote their growth with a fertilizer, though this is often not desired, as they will vigorously grow long-stalked floating leaves which may block the light from the plants below. You can either removed these leaves as they grow, or you can let them be, allowing beautiful white flowers to grow from them. These are incredibly fragrant and will bloom from the evening until the late morning.
The ideal conditions for the Red Tiger Lotus
Overall, the Red Tiger Lotus doesn't have any special needs. They are alright in waters that are light acidic or alkaline and are alright at temperatures between 15 °C and 30 °C. On top of that, they can grow in both hard and soft waters. Just make sure to remove the long-stalked floating leaves every now and then to ensure that the plants in the depths of your tank still get sufficient light.