Piptospatha Ridleyi care guide
Piptospatha Ridleyi (Piptospatha ridleyi) — low light, 22-27 °C, pH 5.5-7, no CO2.
Overview
Piptospatha Ridleyi (Piptospatha ridleyi) is a rosette plant of the family Araceae, grown as an aquarium plant. A rare rheophytic aroid from Borneo, closely related to Bucephalandra. Forms compact rosettes of small, leathery leaves. Extremely slow-growing, it attaches to rocks and driftwood like its Bucephalandra cousins. Best suited for experienced aquarists who appreciate botanical rarities.
Taxonomy
- Family: Araceae
- Genus: Piptospatha
- Scientific name: Piptospatha ridleyi
- Common synonyms: Ridley's Piptospatha
Habitat
Piptospatha ridleyi originates from Borneo, where it grows in freshwater marshes, ditches and slow-moving streams, frequently emersed on seasonally flooded ground.
Growth requirements
- Lighting: low
- CO2: not required
- Temperature: 22-27 °C (72-81 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7
- GH: 1-8 °dGH
- Substrate: any
- Maximum height: 8 cm
- Growth rate: slow
- Nutrient demand: low
- Recommended placement: epiphyte on wood or rock
Placement
In aquascapes this plant grows as an epiphyte on wood or rock.
Propagation
Propagation is by rhizome division, and division of the parent clump; daughter plants are separated once they have formed several leaves and visible roots.
Common issues
Pale or stunted new growth usually signals a nutrient or iron deficiency, while algae on older leaves often follows light that exceeds the available nutrients or CO2; correcting fertilisation and trimming affected parts resolves most cases.