Nymphaea nouchali "Sri Lanka"

Nympháea nouchali

Family: Nymphaeaceae

Genus: Nymphaea

Difficulty

Easy

Light

Medium to High

Growth Rate

Fast

Usage

Background

Midground

Ideal Conditions

Temperature

18-30°C(opt: 26°C)

CO2

10-40mg/L

pH

5-8

Nutrients

Nitrate (NO3): 10-50mg/L

Phosphate (PO4): 0.1-3mg/L

Potassium (K): 5-30mg/L

Iron (Fe): 0.01-0.5mg/L

Description

This plant, also known as Nymphaea spec. "red", is native to Sri Lanka where it is called "Manel" and is the national flower. It has variable colored flowers and can hybridize with other water lily species. In aquarium conditions, it produces submersed leaves similar to those of Nymphaea minuta. The plant may produce nice-smelling flowers that lift above the waterline up to 10 cm in diameter, which are white with a blue-red hue at the rim and open during the day.