Plant Profile
Common Name: Bucephalandra Red Mini
Buce ‘Red Mini’ is a rare, farm-grown aquarium plant featuring tiny leaves that can develop a beautiful reddish-purple tint when grown submerged over a long period. This variant is prized for its exceptionally small foliage, making it a premier choice for adding fine detail and a splash of deep color to high-end layouts. 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. Red Mini shines in the foreground or midground of an aquascape, where it will slowly sprout from thin rhizomes to create a dense, colorful colony within a planted tank.
Key Features & Notes
- With consistent care and time, the tiny leaves mature into a rich, jewel-toned palette of red and purple that contrasts sharply against green mosses.
- As a mini variant, it is one of the best species for creating a sense of massive scale in small nano tanks or for detailing intricate crevices in large hardscapes.
- 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 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. 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
Light: Low to Medium
CO2: Not necessary but recommended
pH Range: 6.0 – 7.5
Propagation: Divide the rhizome with sharp scissors
