Dwarf Aquarium Lily [Nymphaea Stellata]

Nymphaea stellata — Dwarf Aquarium Lily

An elegant bulb-grown dwarf lily with arrow-shaped, bronze-pink variegated leaves — colorful and easy

The Dwarf Aquarium Lily brings a touch of elegance and unusual color to the tank. Native to India and Southeast Asia, it starts as a compact bush of arrow-shaped leaves in a striking palette of reddish-bronze to pinkish-green — a refreshing change from the usual aquarium greens — and as it matures, it sends stems up to the surface, where graceful lily pads float. Easy to grow and undemanding of CO2, it makes an eye-catching midground accent. Like the Tiger Lotus, it's a bulb-grown dwarf lily with the same easygoing nature, but its arrow-shaped, bronze-and-pink variegated leaves give it a distinctive look all its own.

IMPORTANT — HOW TO PLANT THE BULB: Do not bury the bulb completely — a fully buried bulb will rot. Rest it on the substrate or anchor it lightly, leaving the top portion exposed, and let it become waterlogged enough to sink and root naturally. If it floats at first, that's normal; weigh it down gently or wait a day or two. If you can see roots or a small sprout, plant that end down.

AT A GLANCE

CARE GUIDE

CUSTOMER QUESTIONS ANSWERED

(Q) It's sending leaves to the surface and forming lily pads — how do I keep it as a low bush?

= That's the natural instinct of any dwarf lily, and you get to decide. To keep it as a compact, bushy submerged plant, simply pinch or trim off the stems that shoot toward the surface, cutting them near the base — this redirects the plant's energy into low, arrow-shaped underwater leaves. If you'd rather have the classic look, let those stems grow up and they'll reach the surface and form floating lily pads. Both are lovely, so it comes down to the style you want: trim for a tidy underwater bush, or let it rise for pads on top.

(Q) Will the leaves be colorful and red, or just green?

= The reddish-bronze, pink, and green variegation is driven mainly by light. Under brighter light, the warm red, bronze, and pink tones come out most vividly; in lower light, it leans greener. The newest leaves show the best color, and a root tab near the bulb helps intensify it. So for maximum color, give it strong light and feed the roots. Even in its greener state, its arrow-shaped variegated leaves stand out beautifully from typical green aquarium plants — you get an interesting look either way.

(Q) How do I plant the bulb, and what if it hasn't sprouted yet?

= Rest the bulb partly on the substrate without burying it fully (a buried bulb rots), with any visible roots or sprouts facing down — or simply lay it on its side and it will orient itself. Then be patient: like other lily bulbs, it can take a couple of weeks to sprout, especially if it arrives dormant. Don't give up early — a firm bulb is almost always alive and just getting started, and it will wake up and grow under stable conditions. The only real sign of failure is a bulb that has gone soft and mushy.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

1 Dwarf Aquarium Lily (Nymphaea stellata) bulb, often with starter leaves emerging, ready to plant on arrival. Rest it partly exposed on the substrate — do not bury it fully. It may take a couple of weeks to sprout, especially if dormant (see the FAQ). Rinse gently before adding to your tank. Photos are representative of the species; your specimen may vary slightly.

Ships within 10–15 business days.