Red lotus
Nymphaea rubra
Nymphaea rubra is distinguished by its floating leaves often tinged with red or purple, especially under strong light. The bulbous rhizome produces long flexible stems. Submerged leaves are smaller and oval. The flowers, held above the water, are 10-15 cm and bright pink to red. The plant can reach 40 cm in height. It grows rapidly in summer and goes dormant in winter. In aquariums, it requires sufficient surface space. Propagation is by bulb division or seeds.
Recommended parameters
| Parameter | Recommended range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 22–28 |
| pH | 6–7.5 |
| GH | 2–15 |
| KH | 2–10 |
| NO₃ | ≤ 20 |
| PO₄ | ≤ 2 |
Care
Care notes
Easy to grow, it requires intense lighting to develop its red colors. Temperature 22-28 °C, pH 6.0-7.5, GH 2-15, KH 2-10. An iron-rich substrate is beneficial. CO₂ optional. Minimum tank volume 80 liters. Avoid strong currents. A winter rest period at 15-18 °C is recommended. Propagation by bulb division. Beware of iron deficiency which causes leaves to pale.