Anubias
Anubias barteri
A hardy, slow-growing rhizome plant with tough leaves that even cichlids leave alone.
| Care Difficulty | Beginner |
| Lighting | Low to Medium |
| CO2 Requirement | Not required |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Placement | Foreground/Midground |
Overview
A hardy, slow-growing rhizome plant with tough leaves that even cichlids leave alone. Anubias (Anubias barteri) is a beginner-level aquarium plant, making it a superb choice for beginners and low-tech tanks.
This guide covers everything you need to grow Anubias successfully: its appearance and growth habit, lighting needs, whether it requires CO2, how to plant and propagate it, where to place it in your aquascape, and the common problems to avoid.
Appearance & Growth Habit
Anubias is an epiphyte attached to wood or rock. Its thick, dark leaves resist herbivores and it tolerates very low light, but its slow growth makes it prone to algae.
It is classed as a slow grower, which means it demands patience, but also stays manageable and is less likely to outgrow its space and more prone to collecting algae if conditions are poor.
Lighting Requirements
Anubias grows best under low to medium lighting. Low to medium light keeps it healthy without driving algae, so a basic quality LED is plenty.
Run your lights on a timer for around 6-8 hours a day. Longer photoperiods rarely help plants and usually just feed algae, so increase light duration cautiously and watch for any green film appearing.
CO2 & Fertilisation
CO2 requirement: Not required. This plant grows perfectly well without pressurised CO2, which makes it ideal for low-tech setups.
Either way, dose a balanced liquid fertiliser to supply the nutrients plants need from the water column, and push root tabs into the substrate beneath heavy root-feeders. Yellowing, holes or stunted leaves are usually a sign of a nutrient deficiency rather than disease.
Substrate & Planting
Attach the rhizome to hardscape without burying it. Keep light moderate to limit algae on the slow-growing leaves. Wipe or spot-treat algae as needed. Propagate by splitting the rhizome, ensuring each piece has leaves and roots.
Placement in the Aquascape
Anubias is typically used in the foreground/midground of the aquarium. It works well low down and toward the middle, attached to wood or rock or planted in small groups.
Propagation
Propagation is simple: split the rhizome or separate daughter plants, making sure each piece has leaves and roots, then attach or replant.
Sharing trimmings is one of the joys of the hobby - a single healthy plant can fill a tank over time and stock several more.
Common Problems
The most common issue is algae growing on the leaves, which usually points to too much light, too few nutrients or poor flow rather than a problem with the plant itself. Melting (leaves dissolving) after planting is normal as the plant converts to underwater growth - keep conditions stable and new growth will follow.
Avoid burying the crown or rhizome of plants that grow from one (it causes rot), keep flow and CO2/ferts consistent, and remove dying leaves promptly to keep the plant and water healthy.
Is Anubias Right for Your Tank?
Anubias is an easy, rewarding plant that suits almost any freshwater aquarium, including beginner and low-tech setups. Pair it with our other plant guides and aquascaping tutorials to build a lush, balanced planted tank.