TankBud

Bucephalandra motleyana

Also known as Bucephalandra sp., Buce, Bucephalandra Motley

FreshwaterRhizomeRhizome division

Bucephalandra motleyana (Bucephalandra motleyana)
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Light
Low light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
70–82°F
21–28°C
Max height
3.9 in
10 cm
Growth rate
Slow
Placement
Epiphyte
Type
Rhizome
pH
6.0–8.0
Hardness
2–12 dGH
Spread
4.7 in (12 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Easy
Family
Araceae
Origin
Borneo (Indonesia and Malaysia)

Overview

Bucephalandra motleyana is an easy, undemanding epiphyte that is grown on wood or rock, much like Anubias.

Did you know

The entire Bucephalandra genus is found only on the island of Borneo. Every Buce in the hobby traces back to streams there.

Caring for Bucephalandra motleyana

Glue or tie the rhizome to wood or rock and never bury it, or it will rot. The roots can go into the substrate, but the rhizome cannot.

Bucephalandra motleyana does fine in low to medium light without CO2. Added CO2 and a steady all-in-one liquid fertilizer speed growth and deepen color. Liquid feeding suits it, since it draws nutrients from the water as well as through its roots.

Growth is very slow, so keep the light moderate to stop algae settling on the old leaves. Keep the water at 70 to 82°F (21 to 28°C). To propagate, snap or cut the rhizome into pieces, each with a few leaves and roots.

Newly bought plants are usually grown emersed and may shed a few leaves when first submerged. Keepers call this buce melt. The rhizome pushes new submersed growth as long as it stays firm.

Good to know

Bucephalandra motleyana is the type species of the genus. Heinrich Wilhelm Schott described it in 1858 from plants the naturalist James Motley collected in Borneo, and the species is named for him. The genus sits in the family Araceae, the aroids, alongside Anubias and Cryptocoryne, within the tribe Schismatoglottideae. Small, motile, shield-shaped white staminodes separate the male and female flower zones on its spadix and set Bucephalandra apart from related genera. The trade also uses the name motleyana loosely as an umbrella label for many unidentified Buce varieties.

In the wild

Bucephalandra motleyana is endemic to Borneo. It grows as a rheophyte clinging to rocks and wood in and beside fast-flowing forest streams and waterfalls, usually in shade or partial shade. It lives emersed when water levels drop and fully submersed during the wet season, so it grows either way. The native water is soft, slightly acidic and well oxygenated by current.

Common questions

Does Bucephalandra motleyana need to be planted in the substrate?

No. Bucephalandra motleyana grows attached to rock or wood, so tie or glue the rhizome in place. If you plant its roots, keep the rhizome above the substrate, since a buried rhizome rots.

Does Bucephalandra motleyana need CO2?

No, but it helps. Bucephalandra motleyana can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does Bucephalandra motleyana need?

Bucephalandra motleyana is a low-light plant, and the light that comes with a standard tank kit is enough for it.

Does Bucephalandra motleyana need root tabs?

No. Bucephalandra motleyana feeds from the water, so a liquid fertilizer suits it better. Root tabs only help if its roots reach into the substrate.

How do you propagate Bucephalandra motleyana?

Bucephalandra motleyana propagates by rhizome division. Cut the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each, then tie or plant each piece.

How tall does Bucephalandra motleyana grow?

Bucephalandra motleyana grows to about 3.9 in (10 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.

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