Star lotus
Nymphaea stellata
Familia : Nymphaeaceae
The star lotus is a bulbous aquatic plant highly valued in aquascaping for its star-shaped floating leaves and white or pink flowers.
Descripción
Nymphaea stellata has a bulbous rhizome from which long stems emerge bearing submerged and floating leaves. The floating leaves are round to slightly lobed, with a characteristic notch, and reach up to 20 cm in diameter. The upper side is dark green, the underside often reddish. The solitary flowers bloom at the surface, with white petals tinged with pink or blue. The plant produces stolons and can form colonies. In aquariums, it requires a winter rest period to flower. It is a dioecious species, but flowers are usually sterile in cultivation.
Hábitat
Región :
Lakes, ponds and slow-moving waters
Distribución :
Parámetros recomendados
Cuidado
Notas de cuidado
An easy plant to grow, it prefers a nutrient-rich substrate and moderate to intense lighting. Ideal temperature is between 22 and 28 °C, with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Soft to moderately hard water is suitable (GH 2-15, KH 2-10). CO₂ supplementation is not essential but promotes growth. A minimum tank volume of 80 liters is recommended to allow space for floating leaves. Avoid strong currents. Propagation can be done by dividing the bulb or by seeds. Beware of snails that can damage young leaves. A rest period of a few weeks at lower temperature (15-18 °C) stimulates flowering.