Bucephalandra are amazing plants in planted tanks hobby. Not only they turn beautiful color underwater (blue, purple, red, pink...), but they also come with many different leaf shape.
Bucephalandra is a low-growing flowering aroid plant found exclusively on the island of Borneo. This plant is a rheophyte found growing as dense mats over stones in streams at locations subject to drastic change between flooding and prolonged dry periods which is comparable to that of Anubias barteri from Western Africa. The plant relies on a strong root system to attach firmly upon smooth rocks which can only be loosened by knife.
New growth vary as a creeping or upright rhizome. The robust short-stalked leaves are obovate to lanceolate, with a smooth to undulate margin.
Bucephalandra is a relatively undemanding plant that grows and reproduces very slowly. It can be attached to rocks or driftwood or held in place by weights or planted in coarse substrate. It will survive low light while its potential size and color is reached under intensive light, good water movement, CO2 injection and regular fertilisation. Soft water seems to have a positive effect. Bucephalandra can be planted in substrate unlike cryptocoryne but prefers nutrient rich substrate over inert. More or less consistent conditions are recommendable.
Aquarium freshwater aquatic plants
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