DIFFICULTY Moderate

Benefits from more deliberate care.

LIGHT High

Around 10 hours is a useful starting point.

CO₂ Recommended

Can grow without it, but responds noticeably to supplementation.

GROWTH Medium

Low trimming needs.

PLANT OVERVIEW

About Orchid Lily

A tuberous lily with wavy red-green leaves and a striking form.

Barclaya longifolia grows from a tuber into a rosette of long, wavy leaves in olive-green to deep red, sometimes flowering underwater. It's a heavy root feeder that can go dormant and die back before resprouting, so leave the bulb undisturbed even if it appears to vanish.
Shrimp friendly High-tech suitable
CARE PROFILE

What this plant needs.

The useful numbers and practical notes, grouped around how you actually keep the plant.

TANK FIT

Placement + size

Primary placementMidground
Typical height6–16 in
Typical width10 in
Suggested minimum tank20 gal
Suggested tank height14 in+
LIGHT + CO₂

Energy demand

Ideal lightHigh
Photoperiod range8–12 hr
Approx. PAR40–100
Injected CO₂Recommended
CO₂ benefitHigh
NUTRITION

Where it feeds

Root feedingVery High
Water-column feedingLow
Overall fertilizer demandHigh
Iron demandHigh
MicronutrientsHigh
WATER

Useful parameter range

Temperature72–82°F
pH6–7
GH2–12 dGH
KH1–8 dKH
PLANTING

How to plant it.

Substrate: Nutrient-rich substrate; heavy root feeder

Grows from a tuber/bulb; keep the crown exposed and feed the roots heavily.

GROWTH + PROPAGATION

What to expect after planting.

Propagation

Adventitious plantlets / runners

Acclimation

May go dormant and die back, then resprout from the tuber; leave the bulb in place.

COMMON PROBLEMS

What usually goes wrong.

Nutrient-hungry; pale or holey leaves signal a lack of root feeding or potassium.