Bucephalandra sp. 'Sintang'

Bucephalandra sp. 'Sintang' is collected from the Sintang district of West Kalimantan, Borneo, and is regarded as one of the more robust and adaptable named Bucephalandra varieties. It produces broad, somewhat leathery leaves of deep olive-green with a consistent green-to-blue iridescence that persists across a wider range of water conditions than many rarer forms. Leaves reach 4–7 cm and are held on a stout, slowly creeping rhizome.

The relative hardiness of 'Sintang' makes it a good introductory Bucephalandra for aquascapers transitioning from Anubias. It tolerates moderate hardness better than the most sensitive Bornean varieties and will grow steadily in well-maintained low-tech setups without CO2, though as always CO2 supplementation accelerates growth and improves colour. It is well-suited to river-stone biotope setups and nature aquascapes where its robust, dark-green leaves provide a grounding, structural presence.

Light: Low to medium; more tolerant of variable light conditions than many other Bucephalandra varieties. CO2: Beneficial but not essential; one of the more forgiving Bucephalandra varieties in non-injected setups. Fertilisation: Monthly liquid micronutrients; iron helps maintain the dark-green colouration and iridescent overlay. Placement: Attach to rocks or driftwood in midground positions; tolerates a broader range of placement conditions. Propagation: Divide rhizome into 2–3 leaf sections; re-attach to hardscape; one of the easier Bucephalandra to propagate.