Bucephalandra Catherinae Red

Common Name: Bucephalandra Catherinae Red

Buce ‘Catherinae Red’ is a rare, beginner-friendly epiphyte with narrow and wavy leaves on short stalks. This variety is highly prized for its color transformation, showcasing a rich palette of emerald green, deep red, and purple hues once fully adapted to underwater growth. Highly versatile, it can be grown submerged or emersed, usually attached to hardscape such as driftwood or rocks rather than being buried in traditional aquarium substrate. It's a great pick for the foreground or midground of freshwater aquascapes, where it will slowly sprout from thin rhizomes to create dense, short clusters within a planted tank.

Key Features & Notes

• While it may arrive green, the "Red" in its name comes to life under quality LED lighting, where it develops deep crimson and violet tones.
• The slender, ruffled leaves provide a delicate texture that is perfect for fine-scale detailing in both nano and large-scale layouts.
• This is one of the most durable species in the hobby and thrives in shaded areas . It is an ideal choice for planted tanks where other plants might struggle.
• It is perfectly at home fully submerged in an aquarium or emersed in a high-humidity terrarium, vivarium, or paludarium.

Care Tips & Preparation

• Bucephalandra is an epiphytic plant that should be attached to rocks or driftwood . Never bury the rhizome in substrate, as this will cause the plant to rot and melt.
• Carefully remove the plant from its pot and clear away all rockwool from the roots. For a deep dive on prepping potted plants, click here .
• Avoid making drastic changes to your water parameters or lighting. Unstable conditions are the primary cause of leaf melt in new specimens.
• While this plant is hardy and low-maintenance, CO2 injection will yield much faster growth. We recommend researching your specific water chemistry to ensure your plant thrives.
• Final size and coloration depend entirely on your specific aquarium conditions. Please note that photos are a representation, and individual plants may vary.
• Please research appropriately to ensure your plant thrives.

Additional Information
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. We encourage you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth!

Family Name: Araceae
Origin: Borneo (Endemic)
Skill Level: Easy
Growth Rate: Slow
Light: Low to Medium
CO2: Not necessary but recommended
pH Range: 6.0 – 7.5
Propagation: Divide the rhizome with sharp scissors