Bucephalandra Pink Lady suits larger tanks, where its big leaves work as a midground accent. It also grows emersed in a humid terrarium or paludarium. It is easy to keep, though slow.
Did you know
Pink Lady's leaves can reach 3 inches (7.6 cm), longer than the 4 to 6 cm leaves Tropica lists for its Bucephalandra 'Red'. Buce Plant says Pink Lady can grow larger than other Buce varieties.
Caring for Bucephalandra Pink Lady
Tie or glue the rhizome to hardscape and keep it clear of the substrate, where it would rot. Place the plant where its pink stalks show against dark wood or stone.
Bucephalandra Pink Lady needs only low to medium light. CO2 and liquid fertilizer speed up its slow growth. It feeds from the water column as well as its roots, so liquid dosing does more for it than root tabs. Keep the water at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C).
Growth is slow, so it rarely needs trimming. Divide the rhizome to propagate. Sudden swings in temperature or pH are the usual cause of melt in new plants.
Good to know
Pink Lady is an aroid in the family Araceae, and its species is unknown. Its oval leaves run olive to dark green, each with a pronounced midrib. Bright pink to red stalks hold the leaves, and the undersides can carry a pink flush. Buce Plant says the pink stalks set Pink Lady apart from the standard green and purple Buce.
In the wild
Pink Lady is a Bornean trade clone whose exact origin is unconfirmed. The shop BucephalandraEU files it under Nanga Taman in Sekadau Regency, West Kalimantan. That locality is the seller's claim, and no other shop or paper gives Pink Lady a collection site. Wong and Boyce (2014) described several Bucephalandra species from Nanga Taman, most growing on granite along rivers, streams and waterfalls.
Common questions
Does Bucephalandra Pink Lady need to be planted in the substrate?
No. Bucephalandra Pink Lady 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 Pink Lady need CO2?
No, but it helps. Bucephalandra Pink Lady can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.
How much light does Bucephalandra Pink Lady need?
Bucephalandra Pink Lady is a low-light plant, and the light that comes with a standard tank kit is enough for it.
Does Bucephalandra Pink Lady need root tabs?
No. Bucephalandra Pink Lady 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 Pink Lady?
Bucephalandra Pink Lady propagates by rhizome division. Cut the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each, then tie or plant each piece.
How tall does Bucephalandra Pink Lady grow?
Bucephalandra Pink Lady grows to about 3.9 in (10 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.
Low lightEpiphyte3.9 in (10 cm)
Low lightEpiphyte2.4 in (6 cm)
Low lightEpiphyte2.4 in (6 cm)