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Banana Lily Pads are an attractive freshwater aquarium plant that produces distinctive lily-pad leaves from a cluster of swollen, banana-like tubers at the base. These unusual structures give the plant its common name and make it a great feature plant for planted aquariums.

As the plant becomes established, it can send leaves towards the surface where they develop into floating lily pads. The leaves can add excellent surface cover and shade while creating a natural-looking focal point in the aquarium.

Banana Lily Pads are relatively easy to grow and can tolerate a range of aquarium conditions. They are particularly useful in community and planted aquariums where their floating leaves provide shelter for small fish and shrimp.

The plant can be planted into the substrate, but the swollen tubers should remain partially exposed rather than being completely buried. Good lighting and regular nutrients will encourage healthy leaf development.

Quick Care Guide

• Scientific Name: Nymphaea sp.
• Common Name: Banana Lily Pads, Banana Plant
• Type: Aquatic lily / rosette plant
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Difficulty: Easy
• Lighting: Low to Moderate
• CO₂: Optional
• Placement: Midground or background
• Growth Height: Approximately 15–40+ cm
• Water Temperature: 20–28°C
• pH: 6.0–7.5
• Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
• Nutrients: Root nutrition beneficial
• Propagation: Daughter plants / tuber division
• Suitable For: Community aquariums, planted tanks and shrimp aquariums
• Surface Growth: Can produce floating lily-pad leaves

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called a Banana Plant?

The plant develops swollen, elongated tubers at its base that resemble small bananas. These structures store nutrients and give the plant its common name.

Should the banana tubers be buried?

They can be positioned in the substrate, but avoid completely burying the swollen tubers. Keeping part of the tuber exposed helps prevent rot.

Will Banana Lily Pads grow leaves at the surface?

Yes. Given suitable conditions, the plant can send long stems towards the surface and produce floating lily-pad leaves.

Does it need CO₂?

No. Banana Lily Pads can grow without injected CO₂, although CO₂ supplementation can improve growth in a high-tech planted aquarium.

Can it be kept with shrimp?

Yes. The broad leaves and dense growth provide useful shelter and surfaces for biofilm, making it suitable for shrimp aquariums.

How do I stop it from shading the aquarium?

Regularly remove older or unwanted surface leaves. This allows light to reach lower-growing plants while keeping the lily as a feature.

Common Mistakes

• Completely burying the banana-like tubers.
• Allowing excessive surface growth to block aquarium lighting.
• Removing healthy leaves unnecessarily.
• Providing insufficient nutrients for continued growth.
• Planting it too deeply into compacted substrate.
• Expecting rapid growth immediately after planting.