White Egyptian lotus (tiger lotus) Nymphaea lotus
White Egyptian lotus (tiger lotus) (Nymphaea lotus) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Nymphaeaceae family, native to Tropical Africa and SE Asia; Nile (night-blooming). It grows 10–30 cm (4–12 in) tall and 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 10 °C (50 °F). Space plants about 1.6 m (5.2 ft) apart.
Plan White Egyptian lotus (tiger lotus) in your garden →
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White Egyptian lotus (tiger lotus) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Nymphaeaceae |
| Mature height | 10–30 cm (4–12 in) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.6 m (5.2 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About 10 °C (50 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 21–43 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: rhizome and seeds (cooked) |
| Native to | Tropical Africa and SE Asia; Nile (night-blooming) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇧🇷 Brazil |
Is White Egyptian lotus (tiger lotus) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Rhizome and seeds are eaten in West Africa; pet toxicity not documented.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with White Egyptian lotus (tiger lotus)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
See White Egyptian lotus (tiger lotus) in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (3 plants)
- Singapore Botanic Gardens (4 plants)
- Gardens by the Bay (6 plants)
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (2 plants)
- Missouri Botanical Garden (3 plants)
Questions about White Egyptian lotus (tiger lotus)
- How far apart should I plant White Egyptian lotus (tiger lotus)?
- About 1.6 m (5.2 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft).
- Does White Egyptian lotus (tiger lotus) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does White Egyptian lotus (tiger lotus) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is White Egyptian lotus (tiger lotus)?
- It tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does White Egyptian lotus (tiger lotus) flower?
- From about March for 21–43 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is White Egyptian lotus (tiger lotus) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not known to be toxic. Rhizome and seeds are eaten in West Africa; pet toxicity not documented.
- What grows well with White Egyptian lotus (tiger lotus)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for White Egyptian lotus (tiger lotus). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Water lily and lotus registry and cultivation notes, International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Grown in a pond: rhizome or tuber in a basket of heavy loam at the stated depth; needs full sun and still water.
- Tropical: in cool climates it is grown as an annual or overwintered in a heated pool (as in glasshouse lily ponds).
- Night-blooming: flowers open at dusk and close by mid-morning.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- European white water lily Nymphaea alba
- Hardy water lily (Marliac hybrids) Nymphaea × marliacea
- Fragrant water lily Nymphaea odorata
- Blue water lily (blue lotus of Egypt) Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea
- Giant Amazon water lily Victoria amazonica
- Santa Cruz water lily Victoria cruziana
- Yellow pond lily (brandy bottle) Nuphar lutea
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus