How Tall Does Anubias Nana Grow – Your Complete Guide To A Lush

Written ByHoward Parker

Have you ever bought a beautiful aquarium plant, only to watch it grow into a wild, overgrown monster that completely takes over your tank? It’s a common frustration. You spend time and money creating a perfect aquascape, hoping for a lush, green foreground, but end up with a jungle that blocks the view of your fish.

I promise you, there’s a better way. The key is choosing the right plant for the right job, and when it comes to a dependable, beautiful, and perfectly compact foreground plant, nothing beats Anubias barteri var. nana.

This guide will give you the definitive answer to how tall does anubias nana grow and, more importantly, how to use its unique growth habits to your advantage. We’ll cover its typical height, the factors that influence its size, best practices for care, and how to solve common problems. Get ready to master one of the most beloved plants in the aquarium hobby!

The Short Answer: Unveiling the True Height of Anubias Nana

Let’s get straight to the point. In most home aquariums, Anubias nana typically grows to a height of 2 to 6 inches (about 5 to 15 cm). This measurement is from the base of the rhizome to the tip of the tallest leaf.

However, thinking about Anubias nana in terms of “height” can be a little misleading. This isn’t a stem plant that shoots for the surface. Instead, it’s a rhizomatous plant, meaning it grows horizontally. Its energy is focused on extending its rhizome—the thick, green, root-like stem—across surfaces like driftwood and rocks.

So, while its vertical height remains reliably short, a healthy, mature Anubias nana can develop a wide, dense cluster of leaves, creating a lush, bushy appearance. This slow, horizontal growth is exactly what makes it a superstar for foregrounds and midgrounds in aquascaping.

Key Factors That Influence How Tall Anubias Nana Grows

While Anubias nana has a genetic cap on its height, several environmental factors can influence its overall health, leaf size, and growth pattern. Mastering these is the key to a thriving plant. This is the ultimate how tall does anubias nana grow care guide for getting it right.

Lighting: The Gentle Giant’s Preference

Anubias evolved under the canopy of dense forests in West Africa, meaning it’s adapted to shaded conditions. In the aquarium, it thrives in low to moderate lighting. This is fantastic news for beginners or those with low-tech setups!

Blasting it with high light won’t make it grow taller or faster. In fact, it often causes the biggest problem with Anubias: algae. Because its leaves grow so slowly, they become a prime target for stubborn algae like Green Spot Algae (GSA) under intense lighting. For dense, dark green leaves, stick to a gentler light source.

Nutrients & CO2: Fuel for Slow, Steady Growth

Anubias is an epiphyte, which is a fancy way of saying it feeds from the water column, not the substrate. Its roots are primarily for anchoring itself to surfaces.

You don’t need a nutrient-rich substrate for this plant. A good quality, all-in-one liquid fertilizer dosed once or twice a week is more than enough to provide the necessary nutrients. It’s not a demanding feeder.

What about CO2? While not required, injecting CO2 will result in more robust, vibrant growth and slightly larger leaves. However, it won’t dramatically increase the plant’s vertical height. Think of it as a health booster, not a growth hormone.

Water Parameters: Creating a Stable Home

Anubias nana is incredibly resilient and tolerates a wide range of water conditions. Here are the general guidelines:

  • Temperature: 72-82°F (22-28°C)
  • pH: 6.0-7.5
  • Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water (3-15 dGH)

The most important factor here is stability. Anubias, like most aquatic life, dislikes sudden swings in water parameters. Maintaining a consistent environment is far more crucial than chasing a “perfect” number.

Placement and Planting: The #1 Rookie Mistake

This is the most critical piece of advice in this entire guide. Do NOT bury the rhizome! The rhizome is the thick, horizontal part of the plant from which the leaves and roots sprout. If you bury it under your gravel or sand, it will be deprived of oxygen and rot, inevitably killing the entire plant.

Instead, you must attach your Anubias nana to a surface. Here’s how:

  1. Super Glue Gel: Apply a small dab of aquarium-safe super glue gel (any brand containing cyanoacrylate) to a piece of driftwood or rock. Press the rhizome onto the glue for 30 seconds. It’s fast, easy, and perfectly safe.
  2. Fishing Line or Thread: Gently tie the rhizome to your hardscape using dark-colored cotton thread or fishing line. The thread will dissolve over time, by which point the plant’s roots will have anchored themselves firmly.

A Practical Guide: How to Keep Your Anubias Nana Compact and Healthy

Knowing the basics is one thing, but applying them is what creates a stunning aquarium. Here are some of our favorite how tall does anubias nana grow tips and best practices from years of experience.

Strategic Placement for Ideal Growth

Thanks to its compact size, Anubias nana is incredibly versatile. Here are a few ideas:

  • Foreground Focus: Attach small pieces to pebbles or small rocks and arrange them in your foreground for a “meadow” effect that never needs mowing.
  • Midground Accents: Tuck it into the crevices of a large piece of driftwood or between stones to soften the hardscape and add a touch of green.
  • Shady Spots: Use it to fill in lower-light areas of your tank where other plants might struggle.

Pruning and Propagation

Over time, you can encourage bushier growth and create new plants through simple maintenance. If a leaf turns yellow or gets covered in algae, simply snip the leaf stalk (the petiole) as close to the rhizome as possible.

To propagate, wait until your rhizome is at least 3-4 inches long. Using a sharp, clean blade, cut the rhizome into sections, ensuring each piece has at least 3-4 healthy leaves. That’s it! You now have new plants to attach elsewhere in your tank or share with a friend. This is a core part of a sustainable how tall does anubias nana grow approach.

Common Problems with Anubias Nana Growth (and How to Fix Them)

Even the toughest plants can run into trouble. Don’t worry—these are some of the most common problems with how tall does anubias nana grow, and they are all easy to solve.

Problem: My Anubias Isn’t Growing at All!

Anubias is a slow grower, so be patient. A new leaf every month is normal. If it’s completely stalled, check that the rhizome isn’t buried. It could also be “melting” slightly as it adjusts to your tank’s water parameters, which is common for new plants.

Problem: The Leaves are Covered in Algae

This is almost always due to excessive lighting. The slow-growing leaves can’t outcompete algae. Reduce your light intensity or the duration it’s on (6-8 hours is plenty). You can also move the plant to a shadier spot under a larger plant or piece of driftwood. Adding algae-eaters like Amano shrimp or Otocinclus catfish can also help keep the leaves clean.

Problem: The Rhizome is Soft and Mushy

This is rhizome rot, the plant’s number one killer. It’s caused by the rhizome being buried or a severe bacterial infection. Immediately remove the plant from the tank. With a sharp knife, cut away any soft, brown, or mushy parts. If there is any firm, green rhizome left with leaves attached, you might be able to save it by reattaching it to hardscape.

The Benefits of Anubias Nana’s Compact Size

Its short stature isn’t a limitation; it’s a superpower! The benefits of how tall does anubias nana grow are immense for aquascapers.

  • Perfect for Nano Tanks: It provides a lush, green feel without overwhelming a small aquarium.
  • The Ultimate Foreground Plant: It creates a beautiful, low-lying point of interest that stays put and requires almost no trimming.
  • Incredibly Hardy and Forgiving: Its low light and nutrient needs make it one of the best plants for beginners.
  • Unmatched Versatility: You can attach it to virtually any surface, giving you complete creative control over your aquascape.

Frequently Asked Questions About How Tall Anubias Nana Grows

How fast does Anubias nana grow?

Extremely slowly! Under ideal conditions, you might see one new leaf every 3 to 5 weeks. This slow growth is a feature, not a bug, as it means the plant requires very little maintenance.

Can I make my Anubias nana grow taller?

Not really. Its maximum height is genetically determined. Trying to force taller growth with high light will only lead to algae. Instead of height, focus on encouraging healthy, dense, horizontal growth for a beautiful, bushy appearance.

What’s the difference between Anubias nana and Anubias nana ‘Petite’?

Anubias nana ‘Petite’ is a smaller cultivar of the same plant. It has smaller leaves and an even more compact growth habit, typically staying under 3 inches (7.5 cm) in height. It’s perfect for nano tanks or creating fine details in a larger aquascape.

Do I need to plant Anubias nana in substrate?

No, and you absolutely should not! As we covered, burying the rhizome will cause it to rot. Always attach your Anubias to hardscape like rocks or driftwood, keeping the rhizome exposed to the water column.

Conclusion: Embrace the Compact Beauty

So, how tall does anubias nana grow? A beautiful, manageable 2 to 6 inches. It’s a plant that proves great things come in small packages.

By understanding that its strength lies in its slow, horizontal spread and by providing it with low-to-moderate light and a stable environment, you can unlock its full potential. Remember to keep that rhizome out of the substrate, and you’ll avoid the most common pitfall.

Anubias nana isn’t just a plant; it’s a reliable partner in your aquascaping journey. It’s a touch of timeless green that asks for very little but gives so much in return. Now that you have the complete how tall does anubias nana grow guide, go create something beautiful!

Howard Parker
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