Description
Plant Profile
Bucephalandra ‘Kir Royale’ is a beginner-friendly, low-tech aquarium plant featuring generally round, green leaves with newer growth that often displays a subtle golden, copper-red tone. This variety is prized for its underwater transformation, where the foliage can develop deep hues of purple and blue accented by small, shimmering white speckles. It thrives submerged or emersed and prefers to be mounted on driftwood or rock rather than buried in substrate. Kir Royale is an exquisite choice for the foreground or midground of freshwater aquascapes, slowly sprouting from thin rhizomes to create a dense, colorful colony that provides a jeweled look within a planted tank.
Key Features & Notes
The contrast between the new leaves and the mature, purple-tinted foliage creates a vibrant “Kir Royale” cocktail effect in your layout.
Under stable conditions and quality LED lighting, the leaves show tiny “stomata” dots that catch the light like stars.
This is one of the most durable species in the hobby and thrives in shaded areas. It is an ideal choice for planted tanks where other plants might struggle.
Care & Planting Instructions
Bucephalandra is an epiphytic plant that should be attached to rocks or driftwood using aquarium-safe glue or thread; never bury the horizontal rhizome in substrate, as this will cause the plant to rot and melt.
Avoid making drastic changes to your water parameters or lighting because unstable conditions are the primary cause of leaf melt in new specimens.
While this plant is hardy and low-maintenance in standard low-light aquarium plant setups, CO2 injection and regular liquid fertilizing will yield much faster growth and richer iridescence.
Final size and coloration depend entirely on your specific aquarium conditions; please note that photos are a representation, and individual plants may vary.
Quick Facts
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth!
Attribute
Specification
Scientific Name
Bucephalandra sp. ‘Kir Royale’
Common Name(s)
Buce Kir Royale, Kir Royale
Family
Araceae
Plant Type
Epiphyte (Rhizome)
Care Difficulty
Beginner / Easy (Low-Tech Compatible)
Light Requirement
Medium
CO2 Requirement
Not Required (Accelerates growth & color density)
Placement / Usage
Foreground Detail, Midground Accent, Hardscape Crevices
Height / Size
1.5″–3″ (3.5–7.5 cm)
Growth Rate
Slow
Water Parameters
pH 6.0–7.5 | Temperature 68°F–80°F (20°C–26°C)
Propagation Method
Rhizome Division (Separate with sharp shears)
Origin
Borneo (Endemic)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is my Bucephalandra melting?
Bucephalandra melt can occur after changes in water chemistry, temperature, or lighting. If the rhizome remains firm, keep it attached to hardscape while the plant acclimates and produces new submerged growth.
2. Can I plant Bucephalandra in substrate?
Bucephalandra is an epiphyte, so never bury its rhizome in substrate. Attach it to driftwood or rocks, or wedge the roots into hardscape while keeping the rhizome exposed.
3. Is Bucephalandra ‘Kir Royale’ beginner-friendly?
Yes. Bucephalandra ‘Kir Royale’ is a beginner-friendly, low-light aquarium plant that grows without specialized substrate or pressurized CO₂, making it well suited for low-tech planted aquariums.
