Bucephalandra ‘Catherinae’

Bucephalandra ‘Catherinae’, often spelt ‘Catherine’, is a named cultivar of Bucephalandra, a slow-growing rhizome plant from the streams of Borneo. It grows like Anubias, attached to wood or rock. It has long, narrow, glossy dark-green leaves with ruffled edges and usually stays under 15 cm tall, so it suits the front or middle of a tank. Compare other forms in our Bucephalandra varieties guide.

Yes, especially for low-tech, nano and shrimp tanks. Catherinae needs only low to moderate light, no CO₂ and 22–28°C water. It grows slowly, so it rarely needs trimming, and most fish leave its tough leaves alone. The trade-off: algae can settle on older leaves under strong light. Give it moderate water flow across the leaves. It grows in flowing streams in the wild, and the flow helps keep algae off. See more low-light aquarium plants.

Mainly because it grows very slowly. A Buce adds only a few leaves a month, and most new plants come from dividing the rhizome, so nurseries take a long time to build stock. Named cultivars like Catherinae are in steady demand, and we import this one to order. See current rates for every cultivar in our Bucephalandra price guide.

No. Its care is much like Anubias: low to moderate light, no CO₂ needed, and it grows attached to wood or rock. The main difference is that Buce often melts a little after a move, so keep light and water steady while it settles.

Never bury the rhizome. Tie it to wood or rock with cotton thread, or fix it with a drop of superglue gel. The roots grip on their own over a few weeks.

A little buce melt after planting is normal as it adapts to your water. Keep the rhizome healthy and new growth follows.

Yes. Fish and shrimp can live with it safely, and most fish leave its tough leaves alone. Like Anubias, it is an aroid that contains calcium oxalate, so keep it away from pets that might chew it. Rinse new plants well before adding them to a shrimp tank.

It is packed by hand and sent by courier anywhere in India for a flat ₹99, free on orders of ₹999 or more. It is a pre-order plant, so it ships about 15 days after you order. If it arrives dead, send one continuous unboxing video within 4 hours of delivery on WhatsApp or email and we refund or replace it. The same video is needed for a damaged or wrong plant; photos alone are not accepted.