Bucephalandra Care Guide
Bucephalandra is a rheophytic aroid endemic to Borneo, grown attached to rocks or wood, with iridescent leaves and slow but undemanding growth.
Overview
Bucephalandra is a genus of about 30 described species of small flowering plants in the family Araceae, endemic to the island of Borneo. They are rheophytes that grow on rocks in streams of the rainforest and have entered the aquarium hobby relatively recently. Leaves can show metallic blue, green, purple or red tones depending on form.
Taxonomy
- Family: Araceae
- Genus: Bucephalandra
- Scientific name: Bucephalandra sp.
- Common cultivars: Brownie series, Wavy Green, Kedagang, Red Mini
Habitat
Bucephalandra grows in shaded tropical rainforest streams in Borneo, attached by a creeping rhizome to stones and submerged wood. Plants tolerate alternating submerged and emersed conditions during seasonal flooding and pollinate via specialized motile staminodes that control insect access.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 22-28 C (72-82 F)
- pH: 5.5-7.5
- GH: 2-10 dGH
- Lighting: low to medium
- CO2: not required, but improves growth and coloration
- Substrate: any, plant is epiphyte
- Placement: mid-ground attached to rock or wood
Growth and propagation
Growth is slow. The plant is propagated by dividing the rhizome: cut a segment with at least 2-3 leaves and tie it onto rock or wood with thread or glue. Burying the rhizome in substrate causes it to rot, so the rhizome must remain exposed to the water.
Placement and aquascaping
Used in aquascaping as an alternative to Anubias and Java fern, adding variety in leaf size, colour and texture. Snail-resistant due to tough leaves; tolerates shaded positions, making it useful around hardscape shadows where carpet plants will not grow.