TankBud

Schismatoglottis roseospatha

Also known as Schismatoglottis sp. Roseospatha, Tweeddalea roseospatha

FreshwaterRhizomeRhizome divisionPlantlets

Schismatoglottis roseospatha (Schismatoglottis roseospatha)
Buce Plant · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light
Low light
CO2
No CO₂ needed
Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
Max height
3.1 in
8 cm
Growth rate
Slow
Placement
Epiphyte
Type
Rhizome
pH
4.5–7.0
Hardness
0–30 dGH
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Easy
Family
Araceae
Origin
Sarawak, Borneo (Malaysia)

Overview

Schismatoglottis roseospatha is a small, very robust aroid that grows on rock or wood. It is easy and makes a good detail plant for nano tanks and hardscape crevices.

Did you know

German hobbyists collected Schismatoglottis roseospatha in Sarawak back in the 1970s. It was not scientifically described until 1988, and it is still only rarely offered.

Caring for Schismatoglottis roseospatha

Glue or tie the rhizome of Schismatoglottis roseospatha onto rock or wood, as you would a Bucephalandra. Never bury the rhizome, or it rots.

It grows in low light without added CO2. Its growth is very slow, so strong light mostly buys algae on the old leaves. It feeds from the water, so a liquid fertilizer suits it better than root tabs.

Soft, slightly acidic water and a bit of flow match its stream origins. It tolerates a wide range, from a pH of 4.5 to 7, at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C).

Propagate it by dividing the rhizome or by cutting off daughter plants once they have a few roots. Give it stable conditions rather than frequent rearranging.

Good to know

Schismatoglottis roseospatha is a member of the Araceae in the tribe Schismatoglottideae, the same tribe as Bucephalandra. Josef Bogner described it. The name means pink spathe, after the small pink spathe that emersed plants can produce in high humidity. Its narrow, dark green leaves are slightly shiny, with finely wavy margins on reddish brown stalks. Submersed plants usually stay under 8 cm tall.

In the wild

Schismatoglottis roseospatha is a rheophyte known from the Gaad River and Sungai Lelang in Sarawak, on Borneo. It anchors to rocks along forest streams with a creeping rhizome and clinging roots. It grows emersed on the banks in the dry season and holds on fully submersed when the rivers rise, withstanding strong current at high water.

Common questions

Does Schismatoglottis roseospatha need to be planted in the substrate?

No. Schismatoglottis roseospatha 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 Schismatoglottis roseospatha need CO2?

No. Schismatoglottis roseospatha grows well without added CO2 and suits a low-tech tank.

How much light does Schismatoglottis roseospatha need?

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

Does Schismatoglottis roseospatha need root tabs?

No. Schismatoglottis roseospatha 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 Schismatoglottis roseospatha?

Schismatoglottis roseospatha propagates by rhizome division and plantlets. Cut the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each, then tie or plant each piece. Small plantlets form on the plant and can be detached once they have a few roots.

How tall does Schismatoglottis roseospatha grow?

Schismatoglottis roseospatha grows to about 3.1 in (8 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.

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