PlantLab › Plants › Bucephalandra 'Theia'

Shrimp Bites

High Calcium Shrimp Food

AquaBoost Bites →

Epiphyte · Beginner friendly

Bucephalandra 'Theia'

Bucephalandra sp.

1 / 3

✦ DIFFICULTY Easy–Moderate

A forgiving choice for newer planted tanks.

☀ LIGHT Moderate

Around 9 hours is a useful starting point.

≈ CO₂ Recommended

Can grow without it, but responds noticeably to supplementation.

↗ GROWTH Very Slow

Low trimming needs.

PLANT OVERVIEW

About Bucephalandra 'Theia'

A popular buce with dark leaves and violet sheen.

Theia' is a widely-loved Bucephalandra with elongated dark green leaves that show a purple-blue iridescence and white spotting. Slow, compact and undemanding, it's an excellent introduction to the genus on wood or rock.

Shrimp friendly Nano suitable Low-tech suitable 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 placementEpiphyte

Typical height2–5 in

Typical width4 in

Suggested minimum tank5 gal

Suggested tank height8 in+

☀

LIGHT + CO₂

Energy demand

Ideal lightModerate

Photoperiod range8–11 hr

Approx. PAR20–55

Injected CO₂Recommended

CO₂ benefitModerate

●

NUTRITION

Where it feeds

Root feedingLow

Water-column feedingModerate

Overall fertilizer demandModerate

Iron demandModerate

MicronutrientsModerate

≈

WATER

Useful parameter range

Temperature72–82°F

pH6–7.8

GH2–15 dGH

KH1–12 dKH

PLANTING

How to plant it.

Substrate: Attach to wood or rock; do not bury the rhizome

Hardscape: Can be attached to rock or wood.

Do not bury the rhizome. Keep the rhizome exposed to reduce the risk of rot.

Tie or glue the rhizome to hardscape; burying it causes rot.

GROWTH + PROPAGATION

What to expect after planting.

Propagation

Rhizome division

Acclimation

Very hardy; new leaves may take weeks. Old leaves can be trimmed if algae-covered.

COMMON PROBLEMS

What usually goes wrong.

Rhizome rot if buried; slow growth invites algae on older leaves.

KEEP EXPLORING

Plants with similar growing conditions.

Matched from the PlantLab database using light, CO₂, difficulty, feeding demand and placement.