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Bucephalandra ("Buce")

Bucephalandra has become a genuine trend plant in aquascaping in recent years — slow-growing, colorful, and ideal for nano tanks.

OriginBorneo, Indonesia
TypeEpiphyte
Lightlow light is sufficient, more light boosts growth
CO2not required, but speeds growth slightly
Temperaturearound 75°F preferred, but tolerant
Growth ratevery slow
Propagationrhizome division
Difficultyeasy

Attach it right — don't bury it!

Just like Anubias and java fern, Bucephalandra is an epiphyte — the rhizome is attached to rocks or driftwood (tied or fixed with cyanoacrylate gel glue), never buried in the substrate.

Light and CO2

In its natural habitat, Bucephalandra grows in heavily shaded spots and correspondingly needs only low light to thrive. More light doesn't hurt it — with sufficient light and CO2 injection it grows a bit faster, but neither is strictly necessary.

Standout feature: perfect for nano tanks

Since Bucephalandra grows very slowly and stays small, it works beautifully as an accent plant in the foreground and midground of small tanks. The range of colors — from lush green to deep purple to bronze-toned leaves — makes it a popular eye-catcher in aquascaping.

Another advantage: Bucephalandra can also be grown emersed (above the waterline), e.g. in a paludarium — in its natural habitat it's adapted to fluctuating water levels.

Keep an eye on your planted tank's water parameters

AquaEQ tracks iron, CO2, and nutrient levels so your plants can thrive.

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