Bucephalandra Brownie Phantom

Common Name: Bucephalandra Brownie Phantom

Buce ‘Brownie Phantom’ is a beginner-friendly, low-tech aquarium plant featuring naturally miniature, oblong leaves that range in color from dark olive to deep brown. This variety is highly prized for its pronounced iridescent coloration and distinct blue sheen, which becomes most visible when placed under high-quality LED lighting. 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 a dense, shimmering colony within a planted tank.

Key Features & Notes

• Under stable conditions and proper lighting, the small leaves develop a captivating blue metallic shimmer that is highly sought after by collectors.
• Its tiny leaf profile makes it perfect for adding intricate detail to small rocks or creating a sense of scale in nano setups.
• This is one of the most durable species in the hobby and thrives in shaded areas. It is an ideal choice for aquascapes where other plants might struggle.
  
• It is perfectly at home fully submerged in an aquarium or emersed in a humid terrarium. This flexibility makes it a favorite for diverse planted tanks.

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.
  
• 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 – 8.0
Propagation: Divide the rhizome with sharp scissors