Nymphaea pubescens

Datasheet

General Description

• Nymphaea pubescens, commonly known as the Hairy water lily, is a medium-sized tropical water lily belonging to the family Nymphaeaceae. It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, including countries like Pakistan, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. This species is closely related to Nymphaea lotus, with some authors considering it a variety of the latter.

Aquarium Suitability

• Compatibility: Nymphaea pubescens is suitable for aquariums, categorized as "yes."
• Availability: It is occasionally available commercially for hobbyists looking to incorporate it into their aquatic setups.

Demands and Hardiness

• Difficulty: Considered to have medium difficulty for care.
• Winter Hardiness: Unsuitable for outdoor use in colder climates, thus better suited for indoor aquarium environments.
• Water Conditions: For optimal growth, it requires medium to high lighting, a temperature range of 22-28°C, and specific levels of CO2, pH, and nutrient concentrations (see table for details).

Aquascaping & Usage

• Aquascaping: N. pubescens is utilized as an attractive accent plant for its colorful characteristics, suitable for background and midground placement in aquarium setups.
• Plant Usage: It serves as an accent plant, particularly in red tones, adding visual interest to aquascapes.

Propagation

• Propagation: The Hairy water lily reproduces through runners, making it relatively straightforward to propagate within an aquarium environment.

Habitat and Distribution

• Habitat: Nymphaea pubescens thrives in aquatic habitats, with floating leaves that are roundish oval and submersed leaves that are orange-brown.
• Distribution: This species is naturally distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, as well as in Australia, where it can be found in various water bodies.

Note: Further information about the cultivation of N. pubescens in aquariums is limited, and more research may be necessary for successful tank maintenance.