Bucephalandra akantha 'Pearl Grey'

This exceptionally pretty little plant is an Araceae (Aroid) from Boneo. Bucephalandra akantha grows in the Padawan and Siburan districts of Sarawak and in Entikong, West Kalimantan. It occurs on granite and sandstone along riverbanks in moist lowland forests at elevations of 100 to 200 meters above sea level. It is an obligate rheophyte, meaning it grows only in or just above fast-flowing water. Here is a video of the plant in its natural habitat.

It has a creeping, upright rhizome with leaves up to 10 cm long. The leaves have a prominent midrib and, in the 'Pearl Grey' form, a greyish-green color with a slight metallic sheen. The flower spikes are upright, about 2.5 cm long on stalks about 5 cm long, and have a white spathe (involucre).

Bucephalandra are primarily known from aquariums, but they also thrive in humid paludariums. Large-leaved species, in particular, often grow better emersed (with their leaves above water) than submersed (under water). Bucephalandra akantha 'Pearl Grey' is suitable for both submersed and emersed cultivation.



You will receive a flowering-ready plant in a 7cm pot. These plants are grown by us entirely emersed but in very high humidity and have strong root systems.