Aponogeton madagascariensis Bulb Pack

Aponogeton madagascariensis — the Madagascar Lace Plant — is the most iconic plant in the aquarium hobby, producing leaves that consist entirely of a network of veins with no tissue between them. This bulb pack format allows aquarists to purchase dormant corms and experience the full lifecycle of the plant, watching the extraordinary lacy leaves unfurl from the emerging bud.

Successful cultivation begins before the bulb is even planted. Soft, mineral-free water is essential — reverse osmosis water remineralised to under 2 °GH is ideal. Temperature should be maintained between 18 and 24 °C, and a nutrient-rich but fine-particled substrate should be prepared. The bulb is planted half-buried at the substrate surface with the growing tip exposed.

The first few leaves may be disappointingly plain before the characteristic lace structure develops. With patience and consistent care, however, subsequent leaves will be increasingly skeletal. Each bulb in this pack is individually inspected for viability before dispatch.

Light: Medium; avoid intense direct light which stresses this cool-water species; 8–10 hours at moderate intensity. CO2: Beneficial at 10–20 mg/l; soft-water species respond well to consistent CO2 as a carbon source. Fertilisation: Rich, fine-grained substrate (ADA Amazonia or equivalent); weekly liquid micronutrients at half dose. Placement: Plant bulbs halfway into substrate at midground to background, at least 20 cm apart, growing tip exposed. Propagation: Offset bulbs form after flowering; dormancy is normal — leave bulbs in place and wait for re-emergence.