Plant Care Guide
All plants from Timoscape are easy to grow — even for beginners. Here's everything you need to know to keep them thriving.
🌿 Bucephalandra
Bucephalandra (commonly called "Buce") are slow-growing rheophytic plants native to Borneo. They are prized for their iridescent leaves that shimmer with blues, purples, and greens under aquarium lighting.
- Difficulty: Easy — perfect for low-tech tanks
- Lighting: Low to Moderate (10–30 PAR)
- Temperature: 70–80°F | Ideal: 70–76°F
- pH: 6.0 – 7.5
- Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
- Growth Rate: Slow (1–3 new leaves per month)
- CO₂: Not required — but enhances colour intensity
- Fertiliser: Weekly liquid ferts recommended
- Placement: Attach to driftwood or rocks with super glue gel or fishing line. Never bury the rhizome in substrate — it will rot.
Pro tip: Buce develops its best colours in medium light with CO₂ and stable water parameters. Give it time — it's slow but absolutely stunning once established.
🌿 Anubias
Anubias are some of the most forgiving aquarium plants in the hobby. They thrive in nearly any condition and are completely safe for all fish, shrimp, and snails.
- Difficulty: Very Easy — ideal for beginners
- Lighting: Low to Medium (5–20 PAR)
- Temperature: 72–82°F
- pH: 6.0 – 8.0
- Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
- CO₂: Not required
- Placement: Tie or glue the rhizome to hardscape. The rhizome must stay above the substrate or it will melt.
Pro tip: Anubias are susceptible to algae growth on their leaves in high-light tanks. Keep lighting moderate and consider some shading if algae becomes an issue.
🌿 Aquarium Moss (Fissidens, Java Moss, etc.)
Moss is incredibly versatile — use it as a carpet, attach it to hardscape, or let it float. It also serves as a perfect refuge and food source for shrimp fry.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Lighting: Low to Moderate
- Temperature: 65–82°F
- pH: 5.5 – 8.0
- Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast
- CO₂: Not required
- Placement: Tie to driftwood/rocks, or use as a carpet on mesh
Pro tip: Regular trimming encourages dense, lush growth and prevents the inner layers from dying off due to lack of light.
🌿 Bolbitis
Bolbitis (African Water Fern) is a beautiful, delicate-looking plant that adds incredible texture to aquascapes.
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Lighting: Low to Medium
- Temperature: 68–80°F
- pH: 6.0 – 7.5
- Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
- CO₂: Beneficial but not required
- Placement: Attach to driftwood or rocks — do not bury rhizome
📦 Receiving & Acclimating Your Plants
- Open your package promptly and inspect the plants
- Rinse gently in room-temperature dechlorinated water
- Remove any dead or yellowing leaves — this is normal from shipping
- Soak in a bucket of tank water for 15–30 minutes before planting
- For rhizome plants, tie or glue to hardscape rather than burying
- Some plants may melt slightly after being introduced — this is a normal transition and new growth will come
❓ Questions?
I'm an aquarist myself and happy to help. Reach out via the Contact page and I'll get back to you personally.