Orchid Plant (Barclaya) (Barclaya longifolia) is an intermediate-level aquarium plant. A bulb plant related to water lilies with long, wavy, red-bronze to green leaves. It prefers warm, soft, clean water and a nutrient-rich substrate, and it can drop leaves after being moved before it recovers.
Care facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Barclaya longifolia |
|---|---|
| Family | Nymphaeaceae |
| Origin | Southeast Asia |
| Height | 10-20 in |
| Light | Medium |
| CO2 | Helpful |
| Placement | Midground to background, rosette |
| Growth rate | Slow to moderate |
| Temperature | 72-86°F |
| pH | 5.5-7.0 |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Propagation | Division |
Quick tips
- Use root tabs; it feeds through the roots.
- Do not move it once settled.
- Prefers soft, warm water with steady conditions.
San Diego water
Prefers softer, more acidic water than San Diego's tap (pH roughly 7.6-8.6, hard). Most keepers blend tap with RO/DI water or use a remineralized RO/DI supply. Learn the numbers in our San Diego tap water guide.
New to planted tanks? Start with our beginner planted tank guide and the plant fertilizer guide.
Find it at Pet Zone
Pet Zone Tropical Fish is a San Diego aquarium store with two locations. Stock changes daily, so call ahead if you are after a specific species or plant. Shop online at petzonesd.com.
4160 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 987-0309
Open daily, 10am-6pm
Aquascaping, planted tanks
4266 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92105
(619) 283-1812
Closed Monday; Tue-Fri 10:30am-6pm, Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 11am-4pm
Monster fish, koi