Bucephalandra sp. "Theia"
Bucephalandra sp.
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Planting & care
This plant suits beginners. It grows in low light. It grows better with added CO₂.
Suitable for long-term aquarium use.
About this plant
Bucephalandra sp. "Theia" is a compact and colourful Bucephalandra trade form of unresolved species identity and unknown exact collection locality. Like all members of the genus, its natural origin is Borneo, where Bucephalandra species occur as rheophytes attached to rocks in the flood zones of fast-flowing rainforest streams. Under submerged conditions, Theia develops compact rosette-like shoots from a creeping to ascending, strongly branching rhizome. Aquasabi reports rhizomes at least about 4 cm long and mature groups reaching approximately 6-7 cm in height and at least 18 cm in width. The short-petioled, obovate leaves are up to roughly 3.5 cm long with rounded tips. Emersed foliage is typically dark olive green, while submerged leaves can develop red-brown, purple and bluish colours. Numerous stomata appear as small silvery dots on the leaf surface. Growth is slow but reliable. Low light is sufficient for maintenance, although medium light, stable CO2, complete nutrient supply and good water movement result in stronger colour and denser growth. The plant is best attached to stone or wood; if placed on substrate, the rhizome must remain above the surface. Propagation is achieved by cutting off side shoots or head shoots, which also stimulates branching.
Water conditions
Plant reference ranges, not dosing instructions or measurements from your aquarium. Consider livestock needs and measured conditions.
- Temperature
- 68–81°F (20–27°C)
- pH
- 5–7.5
- Carbonate hardness
- 0–14 °dKH
- Recorded CO₂ (mg/L)
- 5–30 mg/L
Growth & placement
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Width
- 3.9–7.1" (10–18 cm)
- How to propagate
- Divide the rhizome, head shoots and side shoots
- Color
- Purple
- Ways to use it
- Small aquariums, Accent planting, Wood and rock layouts
Grow it successfully
What you’ll need to grow Bucephalandra sp. "Theia"
Start with this plant’s documented care needs, then use an AquariumLesson calculator to size the setup for your aquarium.
Where to buy Bucephalandra sp. "Theia"
Taxonomy
- Major group
- Angiosperms
- Family
- Araceae
- Genus
- Bucephalandra
- Botanical name
- Bucephalandra sp.
- Also known as
- Theia Buce, Buce Theia, Bucephalandra Theia
- Origin
- Asia, Borneo, Unknown locality
- Order
- Alismatales
