Do Anubias Nana Need Substrate – Why Burying The Rhizome Is A Fatal
You’ve just brought home a beautiful, deep green Anubias nana. It’s a classic, nearly indestructible plant that promises to add a lush, vibrant feel to your aquarium. You’re ready to get it planted, and your first instinct is to dig a nice little hole in your gravel or aquasoil and tuck it in, just like a terrestrial plant, right?
Hold that thought! Doing this is one of the most common—and unfortunately, most fatal—mistakes new aquarists make with this incredible plant. But don’t worry, we’ve all been there.
I promise that by the end of this guide, you’ll understand exactly why the question of “do anubias nana need substrate” has a surprising answer. You’ll learn the secret to helping it not just survive, but truly thrive for years to come.
We’re going to dive deep into the unique anatomy of Anubias, explore the best, aquascaper-approved methods for planting it, and cover the simple care that makes it a true gem of the hobby. Let’s get your Anubias planted the right way!
Understanding the Anubias Anatomy: The All-Important Rhizome
Before we talk about planting, we need to talk about the part of the Anubias that causes all the confusion: the rhizome.
Think of the rhizome as the thick, horizontal stem or “trunk” of the plant. It’s the sturdy, green part from which both the leaves (growing upwards) and the thin, wiry roots (growing downwards) emerge. This rhizome is the plant’s lifeline.
Unlike plants like Amazon Swords or Cryptocorynes, which are root-feeders that draw nutrients from the substrate, Anubias are epiphytes. In the wild rivers of West Africa, they grow attached to rocks, driftwood, and logs, not buried in the mud. Their rhizome is constantly exposed to the flow of water, where it absorbs oxygen and nutrients directly from the water column.
Why Burying the Rhizome is a Recipe for Disaster
When you bury the rhizome in substrate—be it sand, gravel, or soil—you effectively suffocate it. It’s deprived of the light and oxygen-rich water flow it needs to live. This leads to a swift and irreversible condition known as rhizome rot.
The rhizome will turn soft, mushy, and black. Once rot sets in, it’s very difficult to stop. The leaves will start to yellow and fall off one by one, and eventually, the entire plant will melt away into nothing. It’s a sad sight, and one we want to help you avoid entirely!
The Big Question: So, Do Anubias Nana Need Substrate?
The short and simple answer is: No, Anubias nana do not need substrate to be planted in. In fact, they are much healthier and happier when they are not planted in it at all.
They are water-column feeders. This means they pull the majority of their nutrients directly from the water through their leaves and rhizome. The thin, stringy roots they produce are primarily for anchoring themselves to surfaces, not for nutrient absorption like a typical terrestrial plant.
This is fantastic news for aquarists! This unique characteristic is one of the key benefits of do anubias nana need substrate being a non-issue. It gives you incredible creative freedom:
- Ultimate Versatility: You can place Anubias virtually anywhere in your tank! On the top of a tall piece of driftwood, tucked into a crevice in a rock, or even on a suction-cup ledge on the glass.
- Bare-Bottom Tank Friendly: They are one of the best plants for bare-bottom tanks, which are common for breeding, quarantine, or keeping messy fish like goldfish.
- Easy to Move: Want to rescape your tank? Just pick up the rock or wood your Anubias is attached to and move it. No uprooting, no mess.
The Aquascaper’s Secret: How to Plant Anubias Nana the Right Way
Now for the fun part! Attaching your Anubias nana is simple and gives you a chance to get creative. This complete do anubias nana need substrate guide will show you the three most popular and effective methods used by professional and hobby aquascapers alike.
Method 1: The Super Glue Technique (Our Favorite!)
Don’t be alarmed—using super glue is perfectly safe for your aquarium, as long as you use the right kind. You’re looking for any glue that contains 100% Cyanoacrylate. Gel versions work best as they are easier to control.
- Prep Your Plant and Surface: Take your Anubias and the piece of driftwood or rock you want to attach it to out of the tank. Pat the specific attachment points on both the plant’s rhizome and the hardscape dry with a paper towel. The glue works best on dry surfaces.
- Apply the Glue: Place a few small dabs of gel super glue onto the dry hardscape. A little goes a long way!
- Press and Hold: Firmly press the rhizome of the Anubias onto the dabs of glue. Hold it in place for about 30-60 seconds until it feels secure. Important: Only glue the rhizome or some of the older, tougher roots. Never put glue on the delicate new root tips or the base of the leaves.
- Place it Back: You can place the entire piece back into your aquarium immediately. The glue cures instantly underwater and is completely inert and fish-safe once cured.
Method 2: The Fishing Line or Thread Method
This is the classic, old-school method and works just as well. It’s a great eco-friendly do anubias nana need substrate alternative if you prefer to avoid glues.
- Choose Your Material: You can use dark-colored cotton thread, which will dissolve and rot away over a few months, or thin fishing line, which is permanent but nearly invisible.
- Position the Plant: Place the Anubias on your rock or wood exactly where you want it to grow.
- Tie it Down: Carefully wrap the thread or fishing line around the hardscape and over the rhizome several times. Tie a secure knot. Make sure it’s snug enough to hold the plant firmly, but not so tight that it cuts into or damages the rhizome.
- Trim the Excess: Snip off any long, trailing ends of the thread or line. Over time, the plant’s roots will grow and wrap around the object, securing themselves permanently.
Method 3: The Wedge and Crevice Trick
This is by far the easiest method and creates a very natural look. It relies on finding the perfect spot in your hardscape.
Simply find a natural crack, crevice, or hole in your driftwood or rock that is just the right size. Gently wedge the rhizome of the Anubias into the spot. The pressure from either side will hold it in place while its roots grow and anchor it down. Just be sure the fit isn’t too tight, as you don’t want to crush the rhizome.
Creating a Natural Look: The “Faux-Planted” Substrate Method
What if you love the look of plants growing up from the substrate? Don’t worry, you can still achieve this look! This is one of our favorite do anubias nana need substrate tips for getting the best of both worlds.
The trick is to give the Anubias something to hold onto other than the substrate itself.
- Find a Small Anchor: Grab a small, flat piece of rock, a lava rock fragment, or even a stainless steel plant weight.
- Attach the Anubias: Use the super glue or thread method described above to firmly attach your Anubias nana’s rhizome to this small anchor rock.
- Position and Bury (Partially!): Now, place the anchor rock on the surface of your substrate where you want the plant to be. You can then gently push some of the surrounding sand or gravel over the anchor rock only, leaving the entire rhizome completely exposed and sitting on top of the substrate.
This gives the perfect illusion that the plant is growing from the ground, while keeping its vital rhizome safe, sound, and above the substrate where it belongs.
Anubias Nana Care Guide: Best Practices for a Thriving Plant
Proper planting is the most important step, but following this simple anubias nana need substrate care guide will ensure your plant flourishes. Luckily, they are incredibly forgiving!
- Lighting: Anubias are famous for being low-light plants. They thrive in low to moderate lighting conditions. In fact, placing them in high light often leads to them being covered in stubborn algae, as they grow too slowly to outcompete it.
- Fertilizers: Since they feed from the water, they appreciate a good all-in-one liquid fertilizer. Dosing once or twice a week after your water change will provide all the nutrients they need to produce new, healthy leaves.
- Water Parameters: These plants are tough as nails. They can handle a wide range of pH (6.0-8.0) and temperatures (72-82°F or 22-28°C), making them suitable for almost any tropical community tank.
- Pests: They are virtually pest-proof. Their leaves are thick, waxy, and tough, meaning even notorious plant-eating fish tend to leave them alone. This makes them a fantastic choice for tanks with Goldfish, Cichlids, or Silver Dollars.
Common Problems and Easy Solutions
Even the easiest plants can run into trouble. Here are some common problems with do anubias nana need substrate and planting, and how to fix them.
Problem: My Anubias has green or black spot algae on its leaves.
Cause: This is almost always due to too much light. Because Anubias grows so slowly, algae has plenty of time to establish itself on the leaf surfaces under intense lighting.
Solution: Reduce your lighting intensity or duration. Try placing the Anubias in a shadier part of your tank, perhaps under a larger plant or a piece of overhanging driftwood. Algae-eating critters like Nerite snails and Amano shrimp also love to clean Anubias leaves.
Problem: The leaves are turning yellow.
Cause: Yellowing leaves (chlorosis) typically point to a nutrient deficiency, most commonly nitrogen or iron.
Solution: Start dosing a comprehensive liquid fertilizer that contains a full range of macro and micronutrients. Consistent, small doses are better than one large dose.
Problem: The rhizome is soft and mushy.
Cause: This is the dreaded rhizome rot we discussed. It means the rhizome has been buried in the substrate or has been damaged and developed an infection.
Solution: Act immediately! Carefully remove the plant from the tank. With a sharp, clean razor blade or scissors, trim away any soft, black, or mushy parts of the rhizome. If you can save a healthy, firm green section with a few leaves, you can re-attach it to hardscape and it may recover.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anubias Nana and Substrate
Can the thin roots of Anubias nana go into the substrate?
Absolutely! It’s perfectly fine—and in fact, very natural—for the thin, hair-like feeder roots to grow down and into your sand or gravel. They will help anchor the plant even more securely. The key is that the thick, green rhizome must always remain above the substrate.
What happens if I already buried my Anubias rhizome?
Don’t panic! The sooner you act, the better. Gently pull the plant out of the substrate. If the rhizome is still firm and green, you’re in luck! Rinse it off and re-plant it using one of the attachment methods above. If parts of it are soft, you may need to perform some “surgery” as described in the rhizome rot section.
Does Anubias nana grow faster in a nutrient-rich substrate?
No, this is a common misconception. Since Anubias is not a root-feeder, the type of substrate has virtually no impact on its growth rate. Its growth is determined by water-column nutrients, lighting, and CO2 levels. It will grow just as well attached to a rock in a tank with inert sand as it would in a tank with expensive aquasoil.
Go Forth and Grow!
You now have all the knowledge you need to plant your Anubias nana with confidence. The question “do anubias nana need substrate” is no longer a mystery—you know that keeping its rhizome free and unburied is the absolute golden rule.
By attaching this versatile and beautiful plant to rocks and driftwood, you unlock a world of aquascaping possibilities. You can create depth, texture, and stunning focal points that will make your aquarium a true work of art.
So grab your super glue or thread, pick a perfect spot, and give your Anubias the home it deserves. Happy scaping!
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