Anubias is slow-growing and often expensive, so making more plants from the ones you already own is one of the best tricks in the hobby. The good news: Anubias is easy to propagate by cutting its rhizome, and every healthy piece can become a new plant. This step-by-step guide shows exactly how to do it safely.
Quick answer: To propagate Anubias, wait until the rhizome is at least 6–8 cm long with 6 or more leaves, then cut it with clean, sharp scissors into sections that each keep at least 3–4 leaves and some roots. Attach each piece to wood or rock (never bury the rhizome), keep light low to medium and conditions stable, and expect new leaves in 3–8 weeks.
When is an Anubias ready to propagate?
- The rhizome is at least 6–8 cm long (smaller for Nana Petite).
- The plant has 6 or more healthy leaves.
- It is actively producing new leaves, a sign it has settled in your tank.
- The rhizome is firm and green, with no soft or brown patches.
Cutting a small or recently shipped plant slows everything down, so give new plants at least 2–3 months first.
What you need
- Sharp, clean scissors or a scalpel (wipe with rubbing alcohol and rinse)
- A bowl of dechlorinated tank water
- Cotton thread, fishing line or gel superglue
- Pieces of driftwood or rock for the new plants
How to propagate Anubias step by step
- Remove the plant: lift the whole plant, or the wood it is attached to, out of the tank and place it in the bowl of tank water.
- Plan your cuts: look along the rhizome and choose cut points so every section has at least 3–4 leaves and a few roots.
- Cut cleanly: make one firm cut straight through the rhizome; avoid crushing it.
- Trim damaged parts: remove any soft, brown or old leaves from each section.
- Attach the new plants: tie or glue each rhizome section to wood or rock with the rhizome exposed.
- Return to the tank: place them in low to medium light with gentle water flow.
- Wait: new roots grip in 3–6 weeks, and new leaves follow from the cut ends or side buds.
Other ways Anubias multiplies
- Side shoots: healthy plants sometimes send out a new branch from the rhizome; once it has 3 leaves, cut it off as above.
- Leaf-less rhizome pieces: a firm rhizome section with no leaves can sprout new growth, but it is slow and less reliable.
- Seeds: Anubias occasionally flowers and can set seed, but home propagation from seed is rarely practical. See Anubias flowering underwater.
How long does propagation take by variety?
| Variety | Ready to cut | New growth after cutting |
|---|---|---|
| Anubias Barteri var. glabra | Soonest (large, faster rhizome) | About 3–5 weeks |
| Anubias Nana / Nana Gold | After a few months of growth | About 4–6 weeks |
| Anubias Nana Petite | When the clump is dense | About 4–8 weeks |
| Variegated (Nana White, Marble, Pinto) | Only on large, healthy plants | 6–10 weeks or more |
Tips for success
- Keep each piece with enough leaves; tiny sections struggle to recover.
- Do not increase light to “speed up” recovery; it mainly grows algae on the leaves.
- Dose a light liquid fertiliser weekly after the first two weeks.
- Keep the tank at 22–28 °C; growth stalls in cold winter water.
- Label rare varieties so you know which cuttings are which.
Common problems after cutting
- Cut end turning soft or brown: rot; trim back to firm, green tissue and keep the rhizome out of the substrate.
- Leaves yellowing: normal for one or two older leaves; remove them.
- No growth for months: section too small, light too low, or nutrients lacking.
Plants in this guide
Grown in Surat · graded by leaf count and photographed before dispatch · live-arrival guarantee on every order · ₹99 shipping, free from ₹2,000
Price range: ₹ 90 through ₹ 250
Price range: ₹ 90 through ₹ 250
Price range: ₹ 90 through ₹ 250
₹ 250
Frequently asked questions
Can I propagate Anubias Nana Petite?
Yes. Petite is best divided by gently separating a dense clump into smaller groups of rhizomes, each with several leaves.
Does cutting the rhizome hurt the mother plant?
No, as long as each section keeps enough leaves. Both parts usually grow new leaves within a couple of months.
Can I propagate Anubias out of water?
Yes, and it is often faster in a humid, emersed setup. See growing Anubias out of water.
Start with healthy, well-rooted plants from our Anubias collection, shipped across India with a live-arrival guarantee, and read how fast Anubias grows to set realistic expectations.
Want more plants for free? See how to propagate aquarium plants.
