Aridarum Narrow

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Narrow Leaf Aridarum

Synonyms

Aridarum sp. "Narrow Leaf"

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

Borneo, Indonesia

Habitat

Fast-flowing waterfalls and rocky rheophyte streams in Bornean rainforest, growing attached to rocks and driftwood in high-flow zones

Sourcing

Aquacultured

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Moderate

Growth form

Rhizome

Max height

2 – 6 in (5.1 – 15 cm)

Spread

8 in (20 cm)

Growth rate

Slow

Placement

Midground, Epiphyte

Water

Temperature

72 – 80 °F (22 – 27 °C)

pH

6.0 – 7.5

GH

4 – 12 dGH

Flow

Moderate-High

Light

Low

CO₂

Beneficial

Planting

Substrate

Not needed

Feeds from

Both

Fertilizer needs

Low

Colors

Green

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Rhizome division

Something wrong or missing? Submit a correction

Care guide

Overview

Suited to aquascapers who favor slow, low-maintenance epiphytes over fast carpeting plants, this rheophyte forms narrow, thin, waxy leaves along a creeping rhizome rather than rooting into substrate. It tolerates low to medium light and does best in moderate-high flow, tied or glued to driftwood or rock. Growth is slow, so patience is required between new leaves.

Care

This rheophyte adapts well to home aquaria despite its demanding native habitat of fast Bornean streams and waterfalls. It tolerates a wide range of light levels from low to medium and does not strictly require CO2 injection, though supplemental CO2 speeds up its otherwise very slow growth. Stable water chemistry is more important than any single parameter, since sudden shifts tend to trigger leaf melt on newly settled specimens. Good water movement across the leaves helps replicate the current it experiences in the wild and keeps the thin, waxy foliage clean.

Planting & trimming

Attach the rhizome to driftwood or rock using cotton thread, fishing line, or a small dab of cyanoacrylate superglue gel, leaving the rhizome itself exposed rather than pressed into substrate. It can also simply be wedged into a crevice in hardscape until roots take hold naturally. Position it in an area with moderate to strong flow to mimic its rheophytic origin, and be patient, since visible growth between new leaves can take weeks.

Fertilizing

Root tabs are of limited value since the plant is grown attached to hardscape rather than rooted in substrate, so nutrient uptake happens mainly through the leaves and fine roots gripping the wood or stone. Liquid fertilizer dosed into the water column, including a source of iron and other micronutrients, supports steady leaf production. Pale or translucent new leaves usually point to insufficient micronutrient dosing or inconsistent CO2 rather than a lighting problem.

Propagation

Propagation is done by cutting a healthy section of rhizome that has at least one growth point or leaf attached, then tying or gluing the cut piece to a new piece of hardscape. New roots and leaves will emerge from the divided section over time, though given the slow growth rate this process is far slower than with many other epiphytic aquarium plants.

Problems

Melt can occur after transplanting or following abrupt changes in water parameters, but the rhizome usually survives and pushes new growth once conditions restabilize, a process that can take several weeks to a couple of months. Because growth is so slow, algae can become a persistent problem on older leaves if flow and nutrient balance are not kept in check. Avoid burying the rhizome, as this is the most common cause of rot in this and other aroid epiphytes.

Sources

1. Aridarum Narrow Aquarium Plant — Buce Plant
2. Aridarum Narrow – Aquarium Life co.
3. Aridarum Narrow Easy Aquarium Plant for Planted Aquarium Tank – Glass Aqua
4. Aridarum sp. "Narrow" - PremiumBuces

More Bucephalandra

Bucephalandra AlamandaBucephalandra Apple LeafBucephalandra Arrogant BlueBucephalandra Arrogant Blue PotBucephalandra ArtemisBucephalandra Aurora