Anubias Coffeefolia is one of the most distinctive Anubias you can grow: its leaves are deeply rippled like a coffee plant’s, and new leaves unfurl in a rich bronze-red before turning glossy green. It is as tough as any Anubias but slower and more textured, which makes it a favourite focal plant in Indian aquascapes. This guide covers everything you need to grow it well.
Quick answer: Anubias Coffeefolia (Anubias barteri var. coffeefolia) is an easy, slow-growing epiphyte with rippled leaves and bronze new growth. Tie it to wood or rock without burying the rhizome, give low to medium light, keep water at 22–28 °C, and dose a light liquid fertiliser weekly. It needs no CO2 and grows to about 15–25 cm.
Anubias Coffeefolia at a glance
- Scientific name: Anubias barteri var. coffeefolia
- Height: about 15–25 cm
- Leaves: deeply puckered and rippled; new leaves bronze-red
- Light: low to medium
- CO2: not needed
- Temperature: 22–28 °C
- Placement: midground focal point on wood or rock
- Growth: slow
- Price: ₹250 on Anubias.in
Why are Coffeefolia’s new leaves red or brown?
Bronze-red new growth is normal and one of Coffeefolia’s best features. The young leaves carry red-brown pigments that fade to deep green as the leaf hardens over one to two weeks. Healthy, well-fed plants in moderate light show the strongest colour on new leaves. If older leaves turn brown and soft, that is a different problem, usually a buried rhizome or poor water quality.
How to plant Anubias Coffeefolia
- Rinse the plant and remove any damaged leaves.
- Choose a spot on driftwood or rock where its textured leaves catch the light, usually in the midground.
- Tie the rhizome with cotton thread or fishing line, or fix it with a small dab of gel superglue.
- Keep the rhizome above the substrate; roots can reach down into gravel.
- Place it in gentle flow so debris does not settle in the leaf ripples.
Light, water and feeding
Coffeefolia thrives under a basic aquarium LED for 6–8 hours a day. Strong light encourages algae on its slow, textured leaves, so partial shade under taller plants or wood is ideal. Keep water stable at 22–28 °C with a pH of about 6.0–7.5, and dose an all-in-one liquid fertiliser weekly to keep new leaves colourful and old leaves dark green.
Coffeefolia vs Anubias Nana vs Barteri glabra
- Coffeefolia: rippled texture and bronze new leaves, medium size, slowest of the three.
- Nana: small, smooth, rounded leaves for the foreground.
- Barteri var. glabra: large, smooth, long leaves and the fastest growth.
Compare them in detail in our Anubias Barteri care guide.
Common problems
- Algae in the leaf ripples: reduce light hours, improve flow and add nerite snails or Amano shrimp.
- Pinholes in leaves: potassium shortage; use a complete liquid fertiliser.
- Soft, brown rhizome: rot from burying; cut away soft parts and re-attach.
- No new leaves for weeks: normal after planting; see how fast Anubias grows.
Plants in this guide
Price range: ₹ 90 through ₹ 250
Price range: ₹ 90 through ₹ 250
Price range: ₹ 90 through ₹ 250
₹ 250
Frequently asked questions
Is Anubias Coffeefolia good for beginners?
Yes. It is as hardy as any Anubias, needs no CO2 and tolerates Indian tap water. It is simply slower, so patience matters.
Is Coffeefolia safe for bettas and shrimp?
Yes. Bettas rest on its leaves and shrimp graze biofilm from the ripples.
Can I propagate Anubias Coffeefolia?
Yes, by cutting the rhizome once it has several leaves. Follow our Anubias propagation guide.
Buy Anubias Coffeefolia or browse the full Anubias collection, shipped across India with a live-arrival guarantee.
