Propagating Bucephalandra 'Skeleton King'

A practical guide to propagating Bucephalandra 'Skeleton King', a silver-veined Borneo rhizome epiphyte, by dividing the rhizome and attaching pieces to hardscape.

Overview

Bucephalandra 'Skeleton King' is a collector form of the genus Bucephalandra, a flowering plant in the family Araceae. All described species of the genus are recorded only from Borneo, where they grow as rheophytic herbs in flowing streams and rivers. This cultivar stands out for its conspicuous silver-white veining over a dark green leaf, recalling skeletal patterns.

Like all Bucephalandra, it is an epiphyte with a creeping, rooting rhizome. In nature the plants form dense mats over stones and rocks rather than rooting into soft substrate. Growth is famously slow, so propagation is a patient, low-effort process.

Propagation Method (Rhizome Division)

Bucephalandra is propagated vegetatively by dividing the rhizome. Each division is a section of the creeping rhizome that already carries its own leaves and roots, so it can survive independently and resume growth once anchored.

• Keep each rhizome piece longer than about 1.5 inches (4 cm).
• Make sure every piece has several healthy leaves and some roots.
• Healthy bare rhizome will push new leaves, but pieces with leaves recover fastest.

Step-by-Step

1. Lift the mother plant and rinse the rhizome gently.
2. Cut the rhizome into sections, each longer than ~1.5 in and carrying leaves plus roots.
3. Attach each piece to driftwood or rock using thread or cyanoacrylate gel glue.
4. Position the rhizome on top of the surface, never under it.
5. Return to the tank under low to moderate light and gentle flow.
6. Wait several weeks while the roots grip the hardscape naturally.

Conditions for Healthy Growth

• Light: low to moderate; the genus tolerates shaded spots or fuller light.
• Temperature: 22-28 C; cooler water reduces melting and stress.
• Flow: gentle current suits these rheophytic plants from flowing waters.
• CO2: not required, though it can speed the otherwise slow growth.
• Substrate: any, since the plant lives on hardscape, not in soil.

Maintenance

Once divisions have rooted onto wood or rock, Bucephalandra needs very little intervention. Remove any melted or decaying leaves so they do not foul the water, and let the silver-veined foliage develop slowly. Established mats can be divided again to spread this collector form across a layout.

Common Challenges

Slow growth is normal and not a sign of trouble. Because progress is gradual, weak light combined with leftover melted matter can invite algae, so keep leaves clean and lighting modest.