Anubias Plant Roots Out Of The Water – Your Ultimate Guide To Emergent
Ever glanced at your aquarium and noticed your Anubias plant sending roots skyward, right out of the water? It’s a sight that makes many aquarists pause and wonder: “Is this normal? Am I doing something wrong?”
Let me put your mind at ease. Not only is this completely normal, but it’s also a sign that your Anubias is happy and healthy! This fascinating behavior is a throwback to its wild origins, and it opens up a whole new world of aquascaping possibilities for your tank.
Imagine transforming that simple observation into a stunning new dimension for your aquarium—a lush, green canopy that bridges the gap between water and air, creating a naturalistic slice of a riverbank right in your living room. This is your chance to go beyond the fully submerged aquascape and embrace the beauty of emergent growth.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about anubias plant roots out of the water. We’ll uncover why it happens, the incredible benefits it offers, and exactly how you can encourage and manage this beautiful, natural phenomenon. Let’s get growing!
Why Do Anubias Roots Grow Out of the Water? The Science Behind Emergent Growth
To understand why your Anubias is reaching for the sky, we need to look at its natural habitat. Anubias species are native to the tropical rivers and streams of western and central Africa. They aren’t true aquatic plants; they are semi-aquatic.
In the wild, they often grow as epiphytes, meaning they attach themselves to rocks, driftwood, and tree roots along the water’s edge. Their environment is constantly changing with rainy and dry seasons, causing water levels to rise and fall dramatically.
This has made Anubias incredibly adaptable. They are perfectly happy being fully submerged, but they are equally comfortable with their leaves and some roots exposed to the air. Growing roots out of the water is a natural survival strategy that allows them to:
- Breathe Better: Exposed roots can absorb atmospheric oxygen and carbon dioxide, which can be more abundant in the air than in the water.
- Anchor Securely: As they grow, these aerial roots can latch onto surfaces above the waterline, providing extra stability during floods or strong currents.
- Seek Nutrients: While they primarily absorb nutrients through their rhizome and submerged roots, aerial roots can also absorb moisture and nutrients from the humid air and any water that splashes onto them.
So, when you see your Anubias sending roots out of the water, don’t panic. It’s just doing what it’s genetically programmed to do. It’s a sign of a thriving plant exploring its environment.
The Surprising Benefits of Anubias Plant Roots Out of the Water
Allowing your Anubias to grow emersed (partially out of water) isn’t just a novelty; it comes with a host of aesthetic and biological advantages for your aquarium. This is where you can truly appreciate the benefits of anubias plant roots out of the water.
A Stunning, Naturalistic Look
There’s nothing quite like the look of a plant bridging the aquatic and terrestrial worlds. It adds a layer of depth and realism to your aquascape that fully submerged plants can’t replicate. It’s the first step toward creating a breathtaking paludarium or riparium setup, mimicking a natural riverbank.
Enhanced Plant Health and Growth
Anubias leaves grown in the air often appear deeper green, waxier, and more robust. This is because they have unlimited access to atmospheric CO2, a crucial building block for photosynthesis that can be a limiting factor in a non-CO2 injected aquarium. This can lead to faster, healthier growth.
Natural Filtration Boost
Just like submerged roots, emergent roots are nitrate powerhouses. They will actively pull nitrates and other waste compounds directly from your water column, acting as a small, living filter. This contributes to a healthier, more stable environment for your fish and invertebrates.
Reduced Algae Risk on Leaves
One of the few downsides to the slow-growing Anubias is its tendency to become a magnet for algae underwater. When the leaves are grown emersed, they are no longer a prime target for common aquatic algae like Black Beard Algae or Green Spot Algae. The leaves stay cleaner and healthier.
How to Encourage and Manage Anubias Plant Roots Out of the Water: A Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to try it yourself? Encouraging this growth is easier than you think. This section of our anubias plant roots out of the water guide will walk you through the process, step by step.
Step 1: Choose the Right Anubias Species
While most Anubias species can grow emersed, some are better suited for it than others. Larger varieties with robust rhizomes tend to adapt more easily.
- Excellent Choices: Anubias barteri, Anubias congensis, and Anubias gigantea are fantastic candidates due to their size and hardiness.
- Good for Smaller Setups: Anubias nana and Anubias ‘Petite’ also work wonderfully, especially when attached to wood that breaks the surface.
Step 2: Strategic Placement Near the Waterline
Placement is everything. The key is to position the plant so that its rhizome (the thick, horizontal stem from which leaves and roots grow) is just at or slightly below the waterline.
The best method is to attach your Anubias to a piece of driftwood or rock that extends out of the water. Use super glue gel (make sure it’s cyanoacrylate-based) or fishing line to secure the rhizome. Never bury the rhizome in the substrate, as this will cause it to rot.
Position the plant so that most of its roots are in the water, but the leaves and top of the rhizome are in the air or can easily grow that way.
Step 3: Manage Light and Humidity
Emersed leaves need two things: appropriate light and high humidity.
- Lighting: The light you use for your aquarium is likely sufficient. However, be mindful that leaves out of the water can burn if the light is too intense or too close. Anubias are low-light plants, so avoid blasting them with high-powered LEDs.
- Humidity: This is the most critical factor. The leaves and aerial roots will dry out quickly in a standard room. Using a glass lid or canopy on your tank is essential to trap humidity. If the air is too dry, you can mist the leaves daily with dechlorinated water.
Step 4: Pruning and Maintenance Best Practices
Once your Anubias is growing happily, maintenance is minimal. You can trim any yellowing or dying leaves (both above and below water) close to the rhizome. If the aerial roots become overly long or unsightly for your taste, you can trim them, but it’s generally best to leave them be. They are part of the plant’s support and nutrient system.
Creating the Perfect Environment: Paludariums and Ripariums
If you fall in love with the emergent look, you might consider a dedicated setup. This is a fantastic way to create a sustainable anubias plant roots out of the water ecosystem.
A paludarium is an enclosure with both a water and a land area, perfect for amphibians and semi-aquatic plants. A riparium focuses on recreating a riverbank, with a high water level and plants rooted on the edges, growing out of the water.
In these setups, Anubias truly shines. You can mount them on driftwood that forms the “bank,” allowing their roots to trail into the water below while their leaves form a lush green canopy above. This approach is not only beautiful but also creates a more eco-friendly anubias plant roots out of the water setup by closely mimicking the plant’s natural niche.
Common Problems with Anubias Plant Roots Out of the Water (And How to Fix Them)
Even with a hardy plant like Anubias, you might encounter a few bumps in the road. Don’t worry—here are some common problems and their simple solutions.
Problem: My Emergent Roots or Leaves are Drying Out!
Cause: Low humidity is almost always the culprit.
Solution: Install a tight-fitting glass lid on your aquarium to trap moisture. If you have a rimless tank, you may need to mist the plant 1-2 times daily with a spray bottle of aquarium or dechlorinated water. Ensure the plant’s main root system remains submerged.
Problem: Algae is Growing on the Exposed Leaves and Roots
Cause: This is usually due to nutrient-rich water splashing onto the leaves combined with intense lighting. It’s often a fuzzy green or brown algae.
Solution: Gently wipe the leaves with a soft, damp cloth. Reduce the intensity or duration of your lighting. Try to minimize splashing from your filter outflow onto the leaves. A healthy population of springtails in a paludarium setup can also help keep emergent growth clean.
Problem: My Anubias Isn’t Growing Out of the Water at All
Cause: The plant might be positioned too low, or it could be focusing its energy on developing its submerged root system first.
Solution: Be patient! Anubias are slow growers. Ensure the rhizome is positioned high enough on your hardscape that new leaves have an easy path into the air. Check your water parameters—a healthy plant underwater is more likely to venture upwards.
Anubias Plant Roots Out of the Water Care Guide: Best Practices
Looking for a quick checklist? Here are some anubias plant roots out of the water best practices to ensure your long-term success.
- Attach, Don’t Bury: Always secure the Anubias rhizome to rock or wood. Never bury it in the substrate.
- Keep Humidity High: A lid is your best friend. Mist as needed to prevent leaves and aerial roots from drying out.
- Provide Low to Moderate Light: Anubias does not like intense, direct light, which can burn its emersed leaves.
- Ensure Stable Water Parameters: A healthy plant in the water will have the energy to grow out of it. Regular water changes are key.
- Fertilize the Water Column: Anubias are root feeders, but they pull nutrients from the water column. A good all-in-one liquid fertilizer will benefit the entire plant.
- Be Patient: Anubias grows slowly and deliberately. Give it time to acclimate and decide to explore the world above water.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anubias Plant Roots Out of the Water
Can I trim the roots that are growing out of the water?
Yes, you can, but it’s generally not recommended unless they are becoming unmanageable. These aerial roots help anchor the plant and absorb moisture from the air. Trimming them won’t harm the plant, but it’s best to let them grow naturally if possible.
Will my fish try to eat the exposed roots?
It’s highly unlikely. Anubias leaves and roots are very tough and leathery, which makes them unappealing to most fish, including common plant-eaters like goldfish. You may see shrimp or snails cleaning them, but they won’t damage the roots.
Does growing Anubias emersed require special fertilizer?
No, special fertilizer is not required. The plant will still get the majority of its nutrients from its submerged roots in the water column. Dosing your tank with a comprehensive liquid fertilizer as you normally would is perfectly sufficient.
What’s the difference between emersed and submerged growth?
Submerged means the plant is growing completely underwater. Emersed means the plant is rooted underwater but has leaves and stems growing in the air. Many aquarium plants are grown emersed at nurseries because they grow faster with access to atmospheric CO2.
Your Aquarium, Your Masterpiece
Seeing your anubias plant roots out of the water isn’t a problem; it’s an invitation. It’s your plant telling you it’s ready to create something truly special in your aquarium.
By understanding this natural behavior, you can move from simply keeping plants to creating a dynamic, living ecosystem that captures the wild beauty of a riverside. It adds a new level of depth and artistry to your hobby.
So, the next time you see a root or leaf breaking the surface, don’t push it back down. Encourage it. Embrace the journey into the world of emersed growth and watch as your aquarium transforms into a stunning, naturalistic work of art. Go forth and grow!
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