Can Anubias Nana Petite Grow Out Of Water – A Complete Guide To

Written ByHoward Parker

Ever gaze at your beautiful aquarium and wonder if you could extend that lush, green world above the waterline? You see the vibrant leaves of your Anubias Nana Petite clinging to driftwood below, and a creative spark ignites. What if that same plant could breach the surface, creating a stunning, multi-layered aquascape?

Many aquarists love this tiny plant for its hardiness and deep green color, but they often keep it strictly submerged, missing out on its incredible versatility. They desire a more dynamic, natural-looking tank but might feel intimidated by the idea of growing plants out of the water.

Imagine a miniature jungle canopy arching over your aquatic world, with waxy leaves glistening under the light. Picture your Anubias not just surviving, but thriving as it reaches for the air, potentially even rewarding you with a rare, beautiful flower.

So, let’s tackle the big question head-on: can anubias nana petite grow out of water? The answer is a resounding YES! This comprehensive guide is here to walk you through every step, transforming your aquarium into a breathtaking piece of living art.

The Secret Life of Anubias: Why It Thrives Both In and Out of Water

To understand why this works so well, we need to look at where Anubias comes from. In the wild, Anubias species are native to the rivers and streams of Africa. They aren’t deep-water plants; they are marginal plants.

This means they naturally grow along the banks, often attached to rocks and logs. During the rainy season, they might be completely submerged for months. But when the water level drops in the dry season, they are exposed to the air, with their roots staying wet in the damp soil or river spray.

This dual-lifestyle ability is coded into their DNA. When we grow a plant with its leaves in the air and roots in the water, we call it emersed growth. Growing it fully underwater is called submersed growth. Anubias Nana Petite is a master of both, making it the perfect candidate for your first emersed planting project.

Its tough, waxy leaves are fantastic at retaining moisture, which is a key adaptation for life out of water. This is also a cornerstone of creating a sustainable Anubias Nana Petite grow out of water setup—we’re simply mimicking the environment it was born to live in.

The Surprising Benefits of Growing Anubias Nana Petite Emersed

Taking the leap to emersed growth isn’t just a cool experiment; it comes with some fantastic perks for both your plant and your aquarium’s ecosystem. Exploring the benefits of can anubias nana petite grow out of water shows it’s more than just aesthetics.

  • A Jaw-Dropping Look: The number one reason hobbyists try this is for the incredible visual impact. Emersed Anubias adds verticality and depth, breaking the flat plane of the water’s surface. It helps create a seamless transition from the aquatic to the terrestrial, perfect for paludariums, ripariums, or even just tanks with a lowered water line.
  • A Natural Algae Fighter: Have you ever battled pesky algae on your Anubias leaves? When grown emersed, the leaves have access to a nearly unlimited supply of CO2 from the atmosphere. This gives the plant a huge competitive advantage, allowing it to absorb more nutrients from the water column, effectively starving out algae.
  • The Chance to See it Flower: An Anubias flower is a rare and special sight in the aquarium hobby. While it can happen underwater, it is far more common when the plant is grown emersed. The flower looks like a small, white peace lily—a beautiful reward for your efforts.
  • More Robust and Vibrant Growth: With unlimited CO2 and direct light, emersed Anubias often grows faster and healthier than its submerged counterparts. The leaves may appear a deeper, richer green, and the overall plant structure becomes stronger.

Your Step-by-Step Guide: How to Grow Anubias Nana Petite Out of Water

Ready to give it a try? Fantastic! Following this guide will set you up for success. Remember, the key here is a slow, gentle transition. This is the ultimate can anubias nana petite grow out of water guide for beginners.

  1. Select a Healthy Plant Specimen

    Start with the best material. Look for an Anubias Nana Petite with at least 5-6 healthy leaves. The leaves should be a deep, uniform green with no yellowing spots or holes. Most importantly, check the rhizome—the thick, horizontal stem from which the leaves and roots grow. It should be firm and green or brownish-green, not soft or black.

  2. Mount Your Anubias Securely

    Anubias should never have its rhizome buried in the substrate, as it will rot. The same rule applies here. You need to attach it to something that will position it correctly. Great options include:

    • Driftwood or Rock: Find a piece of hardscape that pokes out of the water. Use super glue gel (make sure it’s cyanoacrylate-based) or fishing line to attach the rhizome to the wood just above the waterline.
    • Suction Cup Planters: Small, clear plastic planters with suction cups can be attached to the glass. You can place the Anubias inside with its roots dangling into the water.
    • Filter Baffles or Hang-on-Back Filters: You can often wedge the rhizome into a safe spot on your filter outlet, where it will be constantly bathed in nutrient-rich water.

    The golden rule: Rhizome in the air, roots in the water. The rhizome can be splashed, but it shouldn’t be constantly submerged.

  3. Create a High-Humidity Haven

    This is the most critical step. A submersed leaf is not adapted to dry air. If you simply pull it out, it will dry up and die. You need to create an environment with near 100% humidity to allow the plant to transition.

    Cover the top of your aquarium with a glass lid or plastic wrap. This will trap the evaporating water, creating a super-humid “greenhouse” for the emersed leaves. If you can’t cover the tank, you must commit to misting the leaves with a spray bottle of aquarium or dechlorinated water several times a day.

  4. Provide Adequate Lighting and Nutrients

    Your existing aquarium light is likely perfect. Position the Anubias so it gets good light, but avoid intense, direct light that could scorch the leaves. Anubias is a low-to-medium light plant.

    The plant will get all its nutrients from its roots, which are dangling in your water column. If you already fertilize your tank for other plants, you’re all set. If not, a comprehensive liquid fertilizer added to the water once or twice a week will provide everything it needs.

Common Problems with Growing Anubias Nana Petite Out of Water (And How to Fix Them!)

Even with the best planning, you might hit a snag. Don’t worry! These are usually easy to fix. Here are some common problems with can anubias nana petite grow out of water and their solutions.

Problem: My Leaves are Getting Crispy and Brown at the Edges!

The Cause: This is almost always due to low humidity. The air is too dry, and it’s pulling moisture from the leaves faster than the roots can supply it.

The Fix: Immediately increase humidity. If your tank is uncovered, cover it now. If it’s already covered, check for gaps. Increase your misting frequency to at least 3-4 times per day until the plant stabilizes.

Problem: The Plant is “Melting” or the Rhizome is Mushy!

The Cause: This is likely rhizome rot. It happens when the rhizome is kept too wet (i.e., submerged) or if it was damaged during placement. It can also happen from a drastic, stressful change in conditions.

The Fix: Check your placement. Make sure the rhizome is truly above the waterline and just getting splashed, not sitting in water. If part of the rhizome is soft or black, you can use a clean razor blade to carefully trim away the rotted part. This can sometimes save the rest of the plant.

Problem: There’s No New Growth After Several Weeks.

The Cause: Anubias is famously slow-growing. Patience is key! However, a complete lack of growth could be due to insufficient light or a lack of nutrients in the water.

The Fix: First, just wait a bit longer. If a month passes with zero change, evaluate your lighting. Is the plant in a dark corner? Consider moving it. Are you fertilizing? If not, start with a half-dose of a good liquid fertilizer to see if it sparks new growth.

Best Practices for Sustainable Anubias Nana Petite Emersed Care

Once your plant is successfully transitioned, keeping it happy is easy. This can anubias nana petite grow out of water care guide focuses on simple, long-term success.

  • Humidity is Still King: Even after the plant has grown new, emersed-adapted leaves, it will always prefer a humid environment. A tank lid is one of the best long-term, eco-friendly Anubias Nana Petite grow out of water solutions, as it reduces water evaporation and maintains stability.
  • Keep Those Roots Wet: This is non-negotiable. The roots are the plant’s lifeline to water and nutrients. Always ensure they are submerged or constantly being trickled on by your filter outflow.
  • Prune for Health: As the plant grows, older submersed leaves may die off. This is normal. Simply snip them off at the rhizome with a pair of aquascaping scissors. This redirects the plant’s energy to producing new, beautiful emersed leaves.
  • Be Patient and Observe: The best tool in any aquarist’s kit is observation. Watch your plant. Its leaves will tell you everything you need to know. Bright, waxy, and vibrant means you’re doing everything right!

Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Anubias Nana Petite Emersed

Can I just take my Anubias out of the water and stick it on some wood?

It’s not recommended to do it so abruptly. The submerged leaves are not adapted to dry air and will likely perish. The key is to place it and then immediately provide a very high-humidity environment (like a covered tank) to allow it to acclimate without drying out.

Does emersed Anubias need CO2 injection?

Absolutely not! This is one of the biggest advantages. It has access to an infinite supply of CO2 directly from the air, which contains far more CO2 than we could ever safely dissolve in our aquarium water. This is why its growth can be so much more robust out of water.

Will my fish or shrimp try to eat the exposed roots?

Anubias plants are known for their tough, unappetizing leaves and roots. While some curious fish might peck at them, it’s rare for them to do any real damage. In fact, shrimp and small fish often love grazing on the biofilm that develops on the roots, making it a beneficial relationship!

Your Aquascape’s Next Level Awaits

We’ve journeyed from the riverbanks of Africa to the top of your aquarium, and now you have all the knowledge you need. You know that Anubias Nana Petite is not just an aquatic plant but a versatile survivor perfectly suited for life both in and out of the water.

You have the step-by-step instructions, the troubleshooting tips, and the can anubias nana petite grow out of water best practices to ensure your success. The benefits—from stunning new aesthetics to a healthier, algae-resistant plant—are well worth the small effort.

So go ahead, break the surface! Don’t be afraid to experiment with bringing your aquascape into a new dimension. Your Anubias Nana Petite is ready for the challenge—and now, so are you.

Howard Parker
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