Bucephalandra Bronze Red

Common Name: Bucephalandra Bronze Red

Buce ‘Bronze Red’ is a striking aquarium plant featuring oblong leaves with ruffled edges that develop a deep reddish-brown and bronze coloration once adapted to underwater life. This variety is highly prized for its warm color palette and distinct texture, providing a sophisticated look for both low and high-tech setups. It can be grown submerged or emersed, usually attached to hardscape such as driftwood or rocks rather than being buried in traditional aquarium substrate. Bronze Red is a great pick for the midground of freshwater aquascapes, where its slow-growing rhizomes will gradually form a dense, jewel-toned colony within a planted tank.

Key Features & Notes

• True to its name, the foliage transitions into a unique bronze-red hue under quality aquarium LED lighting, offering a color rarely seen in other species.
• The wavy, ruffled leaf edges provide significant visual texture, making it an excellent plant for breaking up the smooth lines of rocks and wood.
• 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 high-humidity terrariums, vivariums, and paludariums.

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 – 8.0
Propagation: Divide the rhizome with sharp scissors