Plant Profile
Common Name: Bucephalandra Giant Motleyana
Buce ‘Giant Motleyana’ is a robust aquarium plant featuring elongated, dark olive leaves that often display a striking bluish shine. This variety is prized for its substantial leaf size and deep color palette, which can range from rich reds to dark forest greens under optimal conditions. 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. Giant Motleyana is a great pick for the midground of freshwater aquascapes, where its slow-growing rhizomes create a dense, architectural colony that adds significant depth to a planted tank.
Key Features & Notes
- Under quality aquarium LED lighting, the mature olive foliage of Giant Motleyana develops a distinct metallic blue sheen that stands out against green plants.
- Unlike the miniature variants, this species provides a bolder texture, making it an excellent anchor for the base of driftwood or large stone formations.
- 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.
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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
