Easy to grow
Colorful red leaves
Fast-growing once established

The dwarf aquarium lily is a unique plant with triangular-shaped leaves, which can be pink or red in color. It grows leaves under the water's surface, as well as lily pads that reach up to the surface. The dwarf aquarium lily can thrive even under low light and provides a beautiful pop of color to any aquarium. It can grow relatively quickly once it gets established and will provide valuable shelter for fish, shrimp, and fry with its robust leaves.

Scientific Name: Nymphaea stellata
Native To: India
Skill Level: Easy
Placement: Background or centerpiece
Recommended Light: Low Light 10-20 PAR (click to see our PAR chart)
CO₂ Requirement: None
Preferred Fertilizer: Easy Root Tabs and Easy Green liquid fertilizer
Propagation: Remove side shoots and replant

***Being a natural product, sizes can vary from what is shown.***

How to Plant Dwarf Aquarium Lily Bulb

1. Remove the potted plant from plastic basket, and split the rock wool in half.
2. Carefully remove the plant roots from the rock wool, and make sure to remove all the small, yellow fertilizer balls. Wash off any remaining debris.
3. Place the bulb on top of the substrate so that the leaves are oriented upwards. and then the plant will send roots down into the substrate. Do not bury the bulb, or else the plant may rot and eventually die.
4. If the bulb starts floating, you can either wait for it to sink or place it loosely under a piece of hardscape to keep it weighed down.
5. The plant may come with a few small leaves. However, the leaves are delicate, and it is common for them to be damaged in transit. More leaves will grow about 7–10 days after being planted in an aquarium.

How to Grow Dwarf Aquarium Lily

— Dwarf lily aquarium care is very easy, so start by using low lighting between 10-20 PAR.
— Why is my red dwarf aquarium lily losing its leaves? If your plant is getting enough light, it may be a nutrient deficiency, so add more Easy Root Tabs into the ground. Also, measure the nitrate level using a multi-test strip. Dose with Easy Green all-in-one fertilizer until the water has 20-50 ppm nitrate.
— How to trim dwarf water lily aquarium: If the plant has dying or melting leaves, cut them off at the base of the stem closest to the bulb or ground.

How to Propagate Dwarf Aquarium Lily

Once it becomes well-established, the lily may start to produce small side shoots or plantlets from the base of the original plant. The plantlet will sprout its own leaves and roots that grow into the ground. Gently remove the side shoot from the parent plant and replant it in a different location.