If you want an aquarium plant that is almost impossible to kill, looks great, and needs no CO2 or fancy lighting, Anubias is where you start. This guide covers light, water, the one rule you must never break, how to attach it, how to multiply it, and how to fix common problems.
What makes Anubias beginner-friendly
Anubias is a slow-growing rhizome plant from West and Central Africa. In nature it clings to rocks and wood rather than rooting in soil, which is why it is so easy: it thrives in low light with no special lamps, it needs no CO2 or special substrate because it feeds from the water column, its thick leathery leaves are left alone by most fish, and it grows so slowly it needs almost no maintenance.
The one golden rule: never bury the rhizome
The rhizome is the thick horizontal stem that the leaves and roots grow from. If you bury it in substrate it will rot and the plant will die. Attach it on top of wood or rock instead and let the roots grip on. The roots can go into substrate, but the rhizome must stay exposed to the water.
How to attach Anubias
You have three easy options: wrap the rhizome to wood or rock with cotton thread, dab aquarium-safe super glue gel on the underside of the rhizome and press it to dry hardscape, or wedge it into a crevice. Within a few weeks the roots anchor themselves and you can remove any thread.
Light, water and feeding
Quick care reference. Lighting: low to moderate, because strong light causes algae on the slow-growing leaves. Temperature: 22 to 28 C. pH: 6.0 to 7.5. CO2: optional. Fertiliser: a weekly liquid dose is plenty.
How to propagate Anubias
Multiplying Anubias is easy. Lift the plant, cut a rhizome section with at least three or four leaves and some roots using clean scissors, and attach the new piece to its own rock or wood. You now have two plants.
Common problems and fixes
Melting or rhizome rot is usually caused by a buried or damaged rhizome; cut away the soft dark tissue and re-attach above the substrate. Yellowing leaves usually mean a nutrient gap, so add a weekly liquid fertiliser. Algae on leaves is the classic sign of too much light; reduce lighting, increase flow, and add algae-eating shrimp. No new growth is normal for the first few weeks because Anubias is slow.
Popular Anubias varieties
Anubias Nana and Nana Petite are the compact classics, Barteri has larger leaves for the midground, Coffeefolia has textured bronze-tinged foliage, and Dragon Claw has rare dramatic leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Does Anubias need soil? No, it attaches to wood or rock and the rhizome stays above the substrate. Is it safe for shrimp and bettas? Yes, it is one of the best plants for both. How fast does it grow? Slowly, a new leaf every few weeks, which is completely normal.
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