Meebold's Lagenandra

About

A rhizome aroid from the shaded marshy streambanks of Kerala and Karnataka in south-western India, and the closest thing the hobby has to a Cryptocoryne cut from thicker material. The broad ovate leaves are stiff and leathery rather than papery, shading from olive green through bronze and light purple to wine red, often within a single leaf, and each new leaf unfurls pale pink. Green, red and pink forms are all traded: the red form usually sold in Europe stays a compact midground specimen of roughly 10 to 30 cm, while the green and pink forms are far larger plants that can push past 50 cm and overwhelm a small tank. Unlike a true Cryptocoryne it makes no underground runners, spreading instead along a thick creeping rhizome.

Care

Slow and genuinely undemanding, but it hides two traps that kill more of these plants than any water parameter. First, bury only the roots: the creeping rhizome has to sit at or just above the substrate surface exactly as an Anubias does, and burying it brings on stem rot that can collapse the whole plant within days. Second, expect the leaves to melt back after planting or any move, the same way a Cryptocoryne sulks; the plant is not dead, and fresh leaves push out of the centre within two to three weeks, so leave the rhizome alone and wait. It will live in dim light with no CO2, but it stays small and olive green there. Medium light of roughly 25 to 60 PAR, a nutrient-rich substrate with root tabs, and iron plus potassium are what actually deliver the red colour it is sold for; CO2 is optional and simply makes growth denser and faster.

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Frequently asked questions

What water parameters does a Meebold's Lagenandra need?

Meebold's Lagenandra does best at 12–28 °C (53.6–82.4 °F), pH 6–7.5 and a general hardness of 2–18 °dGH.

Where should Meebold's Lagenandra be placed in the aquarium?

Meebold's Lagenandra works best in the midground and reaches around 50 cm.

Is the Meebold's Lagenandra suitable for beginners?

Yes — Meebold's Lagenandra is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.

Sources

• Lagenandra meeboldii "Rot" ("Red") — Flowgrow Aquatic Plant Database
• Lagenandra meeboldii "Grün" ("Green") — Flowgrow Aquatic Plant Database
• Lagenandra meeboldii 'Red' — Aquasabi Aquascaping Shop
• Lagenandra meeboldii "pink" — Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine (Bryce Millar, MD)
• Lagenandra Meeboldii 'Red' — Buce Plant
• Lagenandra Meeboldii Red Care Guide — Gensou Aquascaping