Anubias Growth Secrets: How to Grow Anubias Fast

The Anubias is the undisputed king of slow-growing aquarium plants. Its deliberate, steady pace is one of its greatest strengths, making it incredibly low-maintenance. But what if you’re a little impatient? What if you want to encourage your Anubias to grow as fast as its genetics will possibly allow? While you can’t turn this tortoise into a hare, you can absolutely optimize its environment to push its growth rate from “very slow” to “steady and noticeable.” This guide will reveal the secrets to making your Anubias grow faster.

Managing Expectations: What Does “Fast” Mean for Anubias?

First, we must be realistic. The term “fast” is relative. A fast-growing stem plant can grow several inches in a week. A “fast” growing Anubias might produce a new leaf every 2-3 weeks instead of every 5-6 weeks. You will not see daily changes. The goal is not to change the plant’s fundamental nature, but to remove every obstacle holding it back, allowing it to reach its maximum genetic potential. As we’ve discussed in our article explaining the normal Anubias growth rate, patience is still required.

To achieve this faster growth, we need to move away from a basic low-tech setup and embrace the principles of a high-tech planted tank, perfectly balancing the three key factors of plant growth: Light, CO2, and Nutrients.

Secret #1: Optimized Lighting (The Gentle Push )

While Anubias prefers low light, “low” doesn’t mean “none.” To encourage faster growth, you need to provide the maximum amount of light the plant can handle without triggering an algae outbreak. This is a delicate balance.

• Move to the “Medium-Light” Zone: Instead of deep shade, place your Anubias in a spot that receives consistent, medium-intensity light. For those with a PAR meter, this means aiming for a target of 40-60 µmol/m²/s at the leaf level.
• Avoid High Light: Do not blast it with direct, high-intensity light. This will only cause algae. The key is bright, but indirect, illumination.
• Consistent Photoperiod: Maintain a strict and consistent lighting schedule of 8 hours per day. This provides ample energy without giving algae an excessive window to grow.

Our guide on Anubias light preference explains why this balance is so critical.

Secret #2: Carbon Dioxide (CO2 ) Injection (The Accelerator)

This is the single most effective way to speed up Anubias growth. In a typical low-tech tank, the plant has to rely on the small amount of CO2 produced by fish. By injecting pressurized CO2, you are providing an unlimited supply of the primary building block for photosynthesis.

• Target a Stable Level: Use a drop checker to ensure your CO2 level is in the optimal lime-green range throughout the entire photoperiod.
• Stability is Everything: Fluctuating CO2 levels are a major trigger for Black Beard Algae (BBA). It is better to have a stable, slightly lower level of CO2 than a high but inconsistent level.

While Anubias can thrive without CO2, adding it is the only way to significantly boost its metabolic rate.

Secret #3: Abundant Nutrients (The Fuel)

If you increase light and CO2, you are essentially telling the plant to speed up its engine. To do this, it needs more fuel. Relying on fish waste is no longer enough. You must provide a consistent and complete diet of liquid fertilizers.

• Dose a Comprehensive Fertilizer: Use an all-in-one liquid fertilizer that contains both macronutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potassium – NPK) and micronutrients (Iron, Magnesium, etc.).
• Follow a “Lean Dosing” Schedule: Even with CO2, Anubias is still a slow feeder compared to stem plants. Follow the fertilizer’s instructions, but consider splitting the weekly dose into smaller daily or every-other-day doses. This keeps nutrient levels stable and constantly available.
• Don’t Forget Water Changes: Regular weekly water changes of 30-50% are crucial in a high-tech tank. This resets the nutrient levels, removes any accumulated organic waste, and helps prevent algae.

Our guide, “Does Anubias Need Fertilizer?”, provides more detail on why this is so important.

The Final Secret: Water Parameters and Flow

• Stable Temperature: Anubias grows best in stable, tropical temperatures between 22-28°C (72-82°F ).
• Good Water Flow: A gentle but consistent current is vital. It ensures that CO2 and nutrients are constantly delivered to the surface of the leaves where they are absorbed. A stagnant “dead spot” will starve the plant, no matter how rich the water is.

The Verdict

Growing Anubias “fast” is an exercise in optimization. It requires moving beyond the basic, low-maintenance approach and embracing a more controlled, high-tech strategy. By perfectly balancing a medium-light environment with stable CO2 injection and a consistent supply of liquid nutrients, you provide the plant with everything it needs to reach its maximum growth potential.

You won’t see it grow overnight, but you will be rewarded with more frequent new leaves, a more robust root system, and a healthier, more vibrant plant overall. It’s the perfect way for an intermediate hobbyist to take their Anubias care to the next level.