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Bucephalandra sp. 'Deep Purple' is a compact and highly decorative rhizomatous aquarium plant valued for its dark foliage, gently wavy leaf margins, and subtle metallic colouration. Depending on the aquarium conditions, its leaves may display shades of deep green, bronze, reddish-purple, and blue-purple, often accompanied by fine reflective speckling under aquarium LED lighting.
Its slow, low-growing habit makes it an excellent choice for detailed aquascapes, nano aquariums, and shaded hardscape areas. When several portions are attached close together, the creeping rhizomes gradually branch and develop into a dense, bushy cluster. Like other Bucephalandra varieties, 'Deep Purple' is an epiphytic plant and should be attached to rocks, driftwood, or other hardscape rather than planted deeply in the substrate.
Plant Type: Rhizomatous Epiphyte
Growth Rate: Slow
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Placement: Foreground to Midground
Height: Approximately 5–10 cm
Lighting Requirements: Low to Medium
COâ‚‚ Requirements: Not required, but recommended
Propagation: Rhizome division
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bucephalandra sp. 'Deep Purple' |
| Common Name | Deep Purple Bucephalandra |
| Family | Araceae |
| Origin | Borneo – cultivated trade form |
| Plant Type | Rhizomatous Epiphyte |
| Placement | Foreground to Midground |
| Height | Approximately 5–10 cm |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
| Lighting | Low to Medium |
| COâ‚‚ | Not required, but recommended |
| Temperature | 20–28°C |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Water Hardness | Soft to Moderately Hard |
| Propagation | Rhizome division |
| Product Form | Tissue Culture Cup |
This Horizon plant is supplied as an in-vitro tissue culture plant produced under sterile laboratory conditions. Tissue culture plants are supplied free from algae, snails, parasites, and pesticides, making them an excellent choice for planted aquariums, nano tanks, and sensitive shrimp setups.
Before adding the plant to your aquarium, carefully remove it from the tissue culture cup and thoroughly rinse away the nutrient gel using clean aquarium water. Gently divide the plant into several smaller portions before attaching them to rocks, driftwood, or other aquarium hardscape.
As a rhizomatous epiphyte, Bucephalandra sp. 'Deep Purple' must not have its rhizome buried beneath the substrate. Covering the rhizome can restrict water circulation and cause the plant to rot. Attach each portion using aquarium-safe glue, cotton thread, or fishing line, or gently wedge it into a suitable hardscape crevice.
Low to medium lighting is generally suitable, although moderate aquarium LED lighting may help reveal the plant's darker purple and metallic tones. COâ‚‚ injection is not essential but can support denser growth and improved leaf quality. Stable water parameters, gentle water flow, regular maintenance, and consistent liquid fertilisation will produce the best long-term results.
Bucephalandra is less tolerant of sudden environmental changes than some other hardy rhizomatous plants. Avoid abrupt changes in lighting, water chemistry, fertilisation, or COâ‚‚ levels. Some tissue culture portions may experience temporary transition melt while adapting to submerged aquarium conditions, but healthy new growth should appear once the plant becomes established.
Please note: The final leaf size, shape, and colouration depend strongly on the aquarium's lighting, nutrients, COâ‚‚ availability, and water conditions. As this is a living plant, its size, number of leaves, colour, and overall appearance may vary from the photographs.
