By Andrew Roberts, AKA ppulcher
 
Scientific Name: Nymphaea lotus (zenkeri)
 
Range: West Africa
 
Ease of Keeping: Medium
 
Lighting: Medium to Very Bright
 
Aquarium Requirements: This lotus will thrive in larger aquaria at temperatures between 22 and 30C (72-86 F). The lotus is a heavy root feeder, and appreciates a rich substrate, and benefits from fertilizer tabs placed near it's roots.
 
The leaves are a wonderful red/purple, and can grow quite large. To keep underwater growth of the plant, trim back any leaves that try to bolt for the surface. Otherwise, if grown in a large open top aquarium, the plant will produce large floating leaves, like lily pads. If you are lucky, yellow and white flowers that are quite beautiful will be produced. This plant should be used singly as a specimen plant in larger tanks.
 

 
Images and text for this page are © Andrew Roberts