Plant Profile
Common Name:Â Bucephalandra Lamandau, Bucephalandra Lamandau Mini Purple
Buce ‘Lamandau’ is a beginner-friendly, low-tech miniature variation within the Bucephalandra family featuring remarkably tiny leaves that display a diverse array of rainbow hues, from deep pink to purple. This variety is highly prized for its pronounced iridescent coloration, possibly ranking as one of the smallest known Bucephalandra variations in the planted tank hobby. 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. Lamandau shines in the foreground of freshwater aquascapes, where it will slowly sprout from thin rhizomes to create a dense, shimmering colony that adds immense detail to nano setups.
By choosing the Tissue Culture version of this plant, you are guaranteed a 100% pest-free, algae-free, and pesticide-free start for your aquarium. These plants are grown in-vitro in a sterile laboratory setting, ensuring no unwanted snails or hitchhikers enter your system. While these plantlets start smaller than potted versions and require more time to mature, they offer the cleanest and most reliable method for establishing a healthy Bucephalandra colony in planted tanks.
Key Features & Notes
- Its exceptionally small leaf profile makes it the perfect tool for creating a sense of massive scale in small professional aquascapes.
- 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 paludarium builds.
Care Tips & Preparation
- Carefully remove the plantlets from the cup and rinse away the sterile nutrient gel under lukewarm, dechlorinated water before mounting. For instructions on how to properly plant tissue culture aquarium plants, click here.
- 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 aquarium plants.
- While hardy, CO2 injection and quality water flow will yield much faster and more robust plant growth during the transition phase.
- Final size and coloration depend entirely on your specific aquarium conditions.
Additional Information
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth!
Family Name: Araceae
Origin: Borneo (Endemic)
Skill Level: Easy
Growth Rate: Slow
Leaf Size: Small 1-2 cm
Light: Low to Medium
CO2: Recommended for TC transition
pH Range: 6.0 – 7.5
Propagation: Divide the rhizome with sharp scissors
