Want a lotus that colors up without taking over the tank? Nymphaea micrantha is the dwarf option — a rare West African species whose leaves shift through green, bronze, red and purple depending on your light. It gives you a genuine centerpiece in a tank too small for a full-size lotus.
What You’ll Receive
A healthy, sprouted Nymphaea micrantha bulb with visible leaf growth, carefully selected and packed by Aquarium Plants Factory®.
Important Note:
Nymphaea micrantha is a naturally small lotus species.
The bulb size is tiny by nature, especially compared to larger lotus varieties. This is normal and expected. Despite its small bulb size, the plant is fully viable and will grow and develop normally once planted in a nutrient-rich substrate.
Plant Profile
- Common name — Micrantha Water Lily, Dwarf Red Lotus, Tri-Color Lotus
- Scientific name — Nymphaea micrantha
- Origin — Tropical West Africa
- Placement — Centerpiece
- Mature height — 8–16 in
- Growth rate — Fast
Care
- Difficulty — Beginner
- Light — High. Strong light is what brings out the red and bronze
- CO₂ — Not required! Color comes from light and iron, not carbon
- Water — 72–82°F · pH 6.0–7.5
- Substrate — Required. Heavy root feeder — nutrient substrate or root tabs
- Growth habit — Fully aquatic. Cannot be grown emersed
- Propagation — Bulb offsets, plus plantlets on mature leaves
Grower’s Notes
- It makes plantlets on its own leaves. Micrantha is viviparous — small daughter plants form where the leaf meets the stem. Let one develop a few leaves and roots, then detach and plant it. This is how one bulb becomes a collection.
- Trim the surface leaves to keep it compact. Left alone it sends leaves to the top and shades everything below; cutting those at the base keeps growth submerged and bushy.
- Root tabs are not optional. This is a heavy root feeder, and in inert gravel it stays small and green rather than coloring up.
- Some early leaf melt is normal as the bulb converts to submerged growth. New leaves follow quickly.
Want to go deeper? Read our complete Nymphaea Water Lily Care Guide.
Notes
- Photos are for reference. Color, leaf shape and growth rate vary considerably with lighting and nutrients.
- Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.
At a glance
- Free shipping on orders of $150 or more (after discounts) within the contiguous United States, by USPS.
- Free thermal protection is included with every shipment, all year round.
- Processing: most orders leave us within 1 to 2 business days. Tracking is emailed when your order ships.
- USPS (2 to 5 business days) ships Monday through Saturday.
- UPS 2nd Day Air® ships Monday through Wednesday. Order by Tuesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
- UPS Next Day Air® ships Monday through Thursday. Order by Wednesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
- Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and military addresses ship by USPS at a flat rate shown at checkout.
- Weather holds: during extreme heat or cold we may hold live orders until it's safe to ship.
- We ship within the United States only.
Please bring live plants indoors and unpack them the day they arrive. Every live order is covered by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee.
The complete rules, including lost packages and address issues, are in our Shipping Policy. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.
Every live order is backed by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee. If a plant arrives dead, we'll make it right.
How it works
- Tell us within 24 hours of the delivery time on your tracking.
- Send photos of the affected items in their original, unopened packaging, plus a photo of the shipping label, to hello@aquariumplantsfactory.com with your order number.
- We'll make it right with a replacement, store credit or refund for the affected item.
Good to know
- Some melting or yellowing as plants adjust from greenhouse to aquarium life is normal. They regrow from healthy roots and rhizomes.
- Please bring your package indoors and unpack it the day it arrives.
- Free promotional items and shipping charges are not covered.
The complete rules, including what's covered and what voids the guarantee, are in our Returns, Refunds & Live Arrival Guarantee. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.
Please review your state's regulations on restricted plants, as we are committed to not shipping plants that are restricted in your area. Do not release any plants into the wild or waterways, as this can harm local ecosystems by introducing invasive species.
Your cooperation in protecting the environment is appreciated. For continuously updated information, refer to the USDA State Noxious Weed list here.
Thank you for your responsible commitment to environmental preservation.
Customers praised this rare aquatic plant for its vibrant, multi-colored leaves and impressive growth. "Recovered well from shipping" with most bulbs arriving healthy with small leaves. While some initial melting occurred, shoppers noted new leaves sprouted quickly. "The colors really pop out" even in tannin-rich tanks. Some mentioned bulbs were smaller than expected.
- My aquariums are stunning with these rare beauties
- It's been shooting out a new leaf every day
- Even though it's a delicate plant, it took right off and is growing very well
A
I was worried to spend almost $30 for a single plant in my nano tank (10 gallon). It's been planted for just over a week now and it has really recovered well from shipping and has already put out one new leaf and there is another starting. I did remove one melting leaf but was quite surprised at how well it handled shipping as the leaves are very delicate. It looks just like the photos.
A
This my third time ordering and they just keep getting better my aquariums are stunning 🤩 with these rare beauties
A
Absolutely love them I immediately ordered more
M
This is a nicely started young plant that came with several leaves. Definitely recommend. Very beautiful. Can't wait to see it as it establishes and matures. Will post an update later with mature pics.
D
The Nymphea arrived with small leaves already sprouting from the bulb, unfortunately they melted but new leaves sprung immediately. Planted in a tank with root tabs, co2 and doses with fertilizer. The growth and size of the multi colored leaves are very impressive. The colors really pop out even with tannins in the tank. The broad flat pads have been excellent for my Shrimp and Cory’s to graze on. Overall very happy.
B
I’ve nicknamed the plant Fruity Pebbles. :-). All of the bulbs I ordered came with leaves and have been thriving and growing. I have Fluval Stratum substrate and 6.5 pH.
J
Everything arrived well packaged and healthy! Thank you!
R
Very nice quality thank you !
A
Nymphaea Micrantha
J
Nymphaea micrantha bulb received healthy with small leaves. Currently producing larger leave in my tank.
N
The bulb ordered was with leaves. It uarrived exactly as described, well packed and is doing well in my tank.
M
Melted a bit at first. Doing great now!!
J
Even though it's a delicate plant, it took right off and is growing very well.
E
Wonderfully Packaged came in with three small leaves. It’s been shooting out a new leaf every day
S
Although the bulbs are a little smaller than I expected, I'm very excited to have them and watch them grow
C
Came in very nice
T
Hello I was wondering if you have any pictures of this lily when it’s flowered?
Hi Ted! We don't have official bloom photos of this specific batch on hand, but Nymphaea Micrantha produces small, star-shaped flowers (usually white to pale pink) that typically float right at the surface once the plant is mature and settled in. It tends to bloom more reliably in a pond or brightly lit tank with stable warm water and nutrients - it can take some patience indoors, but many customers do get it to flower with time. Let us know if you have any other questions!
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