Lagenandra Meeboldii 'Red' UNS Tissue Culture
Plant Profile
Lagenandra Meeboldii 'Red' brings the classic Crypt look with a color palette that doesn't play by Crypt rules. It develops broad, oval-shaped leaves that showcase a blend of dusty green, olive, rich red-violet, and bright purple-pink, often all on the same leaf. Fresh new foliage unfolds in a soft pastel pink before maturing into deep reddish-brown tones. Native to the shady streams and damp riverbanks of Southwestern India, this eye-catching member of the Araceae family shares close ties with both Bucephalandra and Cryptocoryne. Reaching 5 or more inches in height with a wide-spreading habit, Lagenandra Meeboldii 'Red' makes an unforgettable, low-maintenance centerpiece for midground zones in both high- and low-tech aquariums.
Tissue Culture cups ensure your aquascape gets a super clean starting point. Lab‑grown and fully sterile, it arrives without pests, snails, duckweed, or any unwanted algae. It’s the go‑to option for anyone who wants peace of mind when adding fresh greenery to a carefully maintained setup.
Key Features & Benefits
- Broad oval foliage displays a mix of bronze, olive green, pink, and red-violet tones.
- Hardy rhizome growth habit provides structural focal points in midground areas.
Care & Planting Instructions
- Thoroughly wash away the nutrient gel from the roots with your fingers before parting it out into manageable portions.
- Plant the roots into your aquarium soil, ensuring the central horizontal rhizome remains resting slightly above the substrate line to prevent rot.
- As a heavy root feeder, Lagenandra Meeboldii 'Red' responds well to root nutrition; placing root tabs near the root base in your aquarium soil supports steady growth and leaf development.
- Provide low to medium lighting; while CO2 is not required, supplying moderate light and regular liquid iron supplements helps highlight the red-violet tones on mature leaves. See our guide to growing red aquarium plants.
- Maintain stable water parameters to avoid leaf melting during the initial transition period.
- To propagate, use a sharp blade to cut the thick rhizome into smaller sections (ensuring each piece has several leaves and roots attached) and replant them into your aquarium soil. Read our trimming & propagation guide for details.
Quick Facts
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth!
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lagenandra meeboldii 'Red' |
| Common Name(s) | Lagenandra Meeboldii Red, Lagenandra Red |
| Family | Araceae |
| Plant Type / Taxonomy | Tissue Culture Rhizome Rosette Plant |
| Care Difficulty | Easy |
| Light Requirement | Low to Medium |
| CO2 Requirement | Optional / Not Necessary |
| Placement / Usage | Midground Centerpiece & Transition Zones |
| Height / Size | 5”+ (Cup portion size: 2–3”) |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Water Parameters | pH 6.0–7.5 |
| Propagation Method | Rhizome Division |
| Origin | India |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I prepare Lagenandra Meeboldii 'Red' Tissue Culture before planting?
Remove the gel from the root system by washing the plant cluster in a bowl of room-temperature water or gently rinsing it under a tap. Once clean, separate the portion into smaller clumps and insert the roots into your aquarium soil using pinsettes.
2. How do I plant Lagenandra Meeboldii 'Red' without causing rhizome rot?
Insert the fibrous roots into your aquarium soil, but make sure the thick horizontal rhizome remains resting above the substrate surface. Burying the rhizome completely under substrate can trap bacteria and cause base rot.
3. Is Lagenandra Meeboldii 'Red' Tissue Culture suitable for low-tech aquariums?
Yes, Lagenandra Meeboldii 'Red' is a low-tech species that grows well under low to moderate lighting without pressurized CO2. Adding root tabs to your aquarium soil provides the root nutrition needed to sustain steady growth.