TankBud

One species · 4 forms

Lagenandra meeboldii

Also known as Red flame, Lagenandra meeboldii 'Kerala', Lagenandra keralensis, Silver Queen

FreshwaterRhizomeRhizome divisionSide shoots

Lagenandra meeboldii (Lagenandra meeboldii)
Aquarium Plants Factory · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light
Low light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
Max height
11.8 in
30 cm
Growth rate
Slow
Placement
Midground
Type
Rhizome
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
0–20 dGH
Spread
11.8 in (30 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Easy
Family
Araceae
Origin
South-west India (Karnataka and Kerala)

Pick a form

One setup covers every form on this page.

Overview

Lagenandra meeboldii is an easy, slow rhizome plant that keepers grow like a large, colorful crypt. It suits the midground.

Did you know

Its new leaves often come up a soft light pink before hardening off to green, orange-brown or deep purple. A healthy plant can show several colors at once.

Caring for Lagenandra meeboldii

Plant the roots in a rich substrate and keep the thick creeping rhizome on top of it, like an anubias rhizome. A buried rhizome rots.

Lagenandra meeboldii grows in low light, and CO2 speeds it up. To propagate it, cut the rhizome into sections with three or four leaves each.

Nursery plants arrive emersed-grown and spend their first weeks swapping to rounder, softer underwater leaves, usually without the dramatic melt crypts pull. From there it adds a leaf every week or two, and the colored forms deepen noticeably under brighter light with iron in the mix.

Good to know

Lagenandra meeboldii is an aroid in the family Araceae, alongside Bucephalandra, Cryptocoryne and Anubias. The genus Lagenandra is endemic to the Indian subcontinent, in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It grows from a thick creeping rhizome rather than a true basal rosette, and it flowers with a spathe and spadix.

In the wild

Lagenandra meeboldii is native to southwestern India, where it colonizes the swampy banks of shaded forest streams. It grows emersed or submersed as the water level changes. Its leaves are coarse, ovate and slightly heart-shaped.

Common questions

How is lagenandra different from cryptocoryne?

Same family, different build: lagenandra grows from a thick surface rhizome with rounder leaves, while crypts grow from buried crowns. Care is nearly identical apart from keeping that rhizome exposed.

Is it hard to keep?

No. It is slow but forgiving, and moderate light, root tabs and an exposed rhizome are all it asks.

Does Lagenandra meeboldii need to be planted in the substrate?

Yes. Push the roots into the substrate and keep the rhizome at the surface or just under it, with the growing tip uncovered.

Does Lagenandra meeboldii need CO2?

No, but it helps. Lagenandra meeboldii can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does Lagenandra meeboldii need?

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

Does Lagenandra meeboldii need root tabs?

They help. Lagenandra meeboldii takes nutrients through both its roots and its leaves. Root tabs near its roots and a liquid fertilizer cover both.

How do you propagate Lagenandra meeboldii?

Lagenandra meeboldii propagates by rhizome division and side shoots. Cut the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each, then tie or plant each piece. Cut a side shoot off once it has a few leaves and plant it on its own.

How tall does Lagenandra meeboldii grow?

Lagenandra meeboldii grows to about 11.8 in (30 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.

Related plants