Bucephalandra sp. 'Deep purple'

Compact rare Bucephalandra Deep Purple used as foreground aquarium plant

Bucephalandra sp. ‘Deep Purple’ is a rare Bucephalandra epiphyte, highly sought after for its dark green to deep purple leaves with an iridescent sheen under aquarium lighting. Its unique colouring adds striking contrast to aquascapes, creating a dramatic focal point in nano tanks, shrimp tanks, and detailed layouts.

This epiphyte plant should be attached to rocks, driftwood, or hardscape decor rather than planted in substrate to avoid rhizome rot. It thrives in low to medium light conditions and does not require CO₂, although CO₂ injection will enhance growth and deepen its purple tones.

Growing slowly to a compact height of 3-6 cm, Bucephalandra ‘Deep Purple’ forms dense clumps, making it ideal as a foreground plant or accent on bonsai driftwood branches. Its thick, leathery leaves are resistant to grazing fish and ideal for shrimp tanks, where shrimp graze biofilm from its surfaces.