One Bornean genus · 17 forms
Bucephalandra varieties
Bucephalandra sp.
Bucephalandra grows on rainforest stream rocks in Borneo, and nearly every plant in the trade is a farmed cutting of a wild locality form. The names describe where a form was collected or who sold it first, not separate species, and every one of them wants the same easy epiphyte care.
Pick a variety
all one genus from Borneo
Bucephalandra Wavy Green
rippled green leaves; the starter buceBucephalandra Red
red-brown leaves and stems
Bucephalandra kedagang
slim dark leaves on red stems; the classicBucephalandra Kedagang Round
rounder take on kedagangBucephalandra Kedagang Long
stretched, narrow kedagangBucephalandra Brownie Blue
blue sheen on dark rounded leaves
Bucephalandra brownie ghost
purple-blue shimmer; a collector favoriteBucephalandra Deep Purple
saturated purple under good lightBucephalandra Dark Velvet
small velvet-dark leaves
Bucephalandra Velvet
velvet-sheen leaves flecked silverBucephalandra Apple Leaf
broad apple-green leavesBucephalandra Mini Coin
tiny round leaves at nano scale
Bucephalandra Godzilla
the big one; long crinkled leavesBucephalandra Sintang
compact green-bronze locality form
Bucephalandra Theia
dark leaves, strong silver specklingBucephalandra Grappa Red
wine-red compact formBucephalandra Red Blade
narrow red blades
Care, the same for every form
One setup covers every form on this page: tie it down, keep the water clean, and let it creep.
- CO2
- CO₂ beneficial
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Placement
- Epiphyte
- Type
- Rhizome
- Temperature
- 68–82°F (20–28°C)
- pH
- 5.5–8.0
Locality names, not species
Botanists are still sorting out how many Bucephalandra species there really are, so the hobby never waited: forms are named for collection sites like Kedagang and Sintang, or for the nursery line that made them famous, like Brownie Ghost. Whatever the label says, the care does not change, and most forms even shift color with light and age.
Epiphyte care
Like anubias, bucephalandra grows from a creeping rhizome that must never be buried. Glue or tie it to rock or wood, give it low to moderate light and gentle flow, and expect a new leaf every few weeks. CO2 is optional but deepens the blues and purples, and healthy leaves show the genus trademark: tiny silver flecks scattered over the surface.
Buy farmed, not wild
Wild collection stripped whole streams in Borneo before farmed stock caught up, and some collection sites are gone for good. Farm-raised and tissue-culture plants are now easy to find, settle into aquariums faster, and leave the wild colonies alone; there is no longer any reason to buy wild-collected buce.
Common questions
Why did my bucephalandra melt after planting?
Most buce is grown emersed, and the old leaves often dissolve as the plant switches to underwater growth. The rhizome is what matters: leave it attached and it regrows with proper submerged leaves.
Does bucephalandra really flower underwater?
Yes. A settled plant sends up small white spadix flowers, even fully submerged. The flowers do not last long, but they are a reliable sign the plant is happy.
How fast does it grow?
Slowly; a leaf or so a month is normal. That patience is the price for a plant that otherwise asks almost nothing.
Related plants
Bucephalandra motleyana
FreshwaterLow lightEpiphyte3.9 in (10 cm)Bucephalandra sordidula
FreshwaterLow lightEpiphyte3.9 in (10 cm)
Bucephalandra catherinae
FreshwaterLow lightEpiphyte2.4 in (6 cm)Anubias Petite Round
Anubias barteri 'Petite Round'FreshwaterBrackishLow lightEpiphyte3.1 in (8 cm)Schismatoglottis roseospatha
FreshwaterLow lightEpiphyte3.1 in (8 cm)Anubias Chili Jalapeno
Anubias 'Chili Jalapeno'FreshwaterLow lightEpiphyte3.9 in (10 cm)
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