Bucephalandra Deep Blue

🌿 Species Profile

• Common Name: Deep Blue Buce
• Scientific Name: Bucephalandra ‘Deep Blue’
• Plant Type: Rhizome epiphyte
• Origin: Borneo (cultivated aquarium form)
• Growth Rate: Slow
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Placement: Foreground / midground (on hardscape)

🌱 Appearance

• Compact clumping growth
• Leaves are:
  • Deep green base color
  • Blue, steel-blue, or bluish-purple sheen in good light
  • Slightly wavy or smooth edges depending on conditions
• Size:
  • Height: 3–10 cm (1–4 in)
  • Width: tight, slowly expanding clumps

It gives a cool “ocean glow” effect in aquascapes.

🧪 Tank Requirements

• Temperature: 22–28°C
• pH: 5.5–7.5
• Hardness: Soft to medium
• Lighting: Low to medium (moderate light enhances blue shimmer)
• CO₂: Not required, but improves color and growth

🌿 Planting Method

• Must NOT bury rhizome
• Attach to:
  • Driftwood
  • Lava rock
  • Hardscape structures
• Use thread or aquarium-safe glue

🌿 Feeding & Care

• Absorbs nutrients from water column
• Benefits from:
  • Mild liquid fertilizers
  • Stable aquarium conditions
• Very slow grower but long-lasting

Care tips:

• Avoid sudden changes in lighting or water chemistry
• Clean gently if algae appears
• Provide stable environment for best blue coloration

🌱 Propagation

• Slow:
  • Rhizome division
  • New shoots form gradually over time

🐟 Aquarium Use

Best for:

• Cool-toned aquascapes
• Nano tanks and detail hardscape accents
• Contrast against red or bright green plants

Compatible with:

• Shrimp
• Small peaceful fish
• Nano community setups