How To Care For Anubias Plants – Your Guide To Lush, Algae-Free Growth
Have you ever brought home a gorgeous, deep-green Anubias plant, full of hope, only to watch it slowly fade or become a magnet for stubborn algae? It’s a frustratingly common story, and if you’ve been there, you’re not alone.
But here’s the good news: Anubias are genuinely some of the most forgiving, resilient, and beautiful plants in the aquarium hobby. Don’t worry—these plants are perfect for beginners! The key isn’t complicated care; it’s understanding a few simple, crucial rules.
I promise this guide will demystify everything for you. We’ll walk through the single most important planting mistake to avoid, how to dial in the perfect low-maintenance environment, and even how to create more Anubias for free.
By the time you’re done reading, you’ll have all the knowledge you need to turn your Anubias from a struggling survivor into the thriving centerpiece of your aquarium.
Why Anubias is the Perfect Plant for (Almost) Any Aquarium
Before we dive into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” Understanding the benefits of how to care for anubias plants properly will make you appreciate them even more. They aren’t just pretty faces; they are workhorses in a planted tank.
Anubias species, native to the rivers and streams of West Africa, are beloved for good reason:
- Incredibly Hardy: These plants are tough! They tolerate a wide range of water parameters and lighting conditions, making them fantastic for beginners who are still learning the ropes.
- Low Light Champions: Unlike many demanding stem plants, Anubias thrive in low to moderate light. This means you don’t need expensive, high-tech lighting to succeed.
- Fish-Proof Leaves: Their thick, leathery leaves are unappetizing to most herbivorous fish, including many cichlids and goldfish that would make a salad out of more delicate plants.
- Slow and Steady Growth: Their slow growth means less trimming and maintenance for you. They won’t take over your tank overnight, allowing for a stable, long-term aquascape.
These qualities make learning how to care for anubias plants one of the most rewarding and sustainable first steps into the world of aquascaping.
The Golden Rule: Planting Anubias the Right Way
If you take only one piece of advice from this entire article, let it be this: Do not bury the rhizome! This is the absolute number one mistake beginners make, and it’s a guaranteed way to kill your beautiful plant.
What is a Rhizome?
Look at the base of your Anubias. You’ll see a thick, horizontal stem-like part from which both the leaves (upwards) and roots (downwards) grow. This is the rhizome. It’s the plant’s life force, and it needs to be exposed to the water column to breathe and absorb nutrients.
Burying the rhizome in your substrate (sand or gravel) will cause it to rot, and the entire plant will slowly fall apart and die. It’s a sad sight we want to help you avoid!
How to Plant Anubias Correctly
So, if you can’t bury it, what do you do? You attach it to something! This mimics how they grow in nature, clinging to rocks and wood in flowing streams. This is one of the most important how to care for anubias plants best practices.
- Attach to Hardscape: The best method is to affix your Anubias to a piece of driftwood, a rock, or even a decoration. The roots will eventually wrap around the object and anchor the plant themselves.
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Use the Right Tools: You have a couple of great options for attaching it:
- Cyanoacrylate Super Glue Gel: This is my personal favorite. Use a gel version (it’s easier to control). A few dabs on the dry roots/rhizome, press it firmly onto your dry hardscape for 30 seconds, and you’re set! It’s completely aquarium-safe once cured.
- Fishing Line or Cotton Thread: You can also tie the rhizome to the object. Cotton thread is great because it will dissolve over a few months, right around the time the plant’s roots have taken hold.
Remember, the thin, stringy roots can go into the substrate, but the thick, green rhizome must stay above it.
The Ultimate How to Care for Anubias Plants Guide: Light, Water & Nutrients
Now that your plant is securely in its new home, let’s talk about the environment. If you want to know how to, how to care for anubias plants for the long term, mastering these three elements is key. The good news? They don’t ask for much.
Lighting: Less is More
Anubias are true low-light plants. This is where many aquarists go wrong. They blast them with intense light, thinking it will spur growth. Instead, it just invites algae to grow on the slow-growing leaves.
Aim for low to moderate lighting. If you have a powerful light, place your Anubias in a shaded area of the tank—underneath larger plants, driftwood overhangs, or in a corner. The goal is to give them enough light to photosynthesize without giving algae the advantage.
Ideal Water Parameters
Here’s another reason to love these plants: they aren’t divas about water chemistry. They are highly adaptable.
- Temperature: They are comfortable between 72-82°F (22-28°C), which overlaps perfectly with most tropical fish.
- pH: A range of 6.0 to 7.5 is ideal, but they can tolerate conditions slightly outside of this.
- Water Hardness: They are not fussy about water hardness (GH/KH) and will do well in both soft and hard water.
Consistency is more important than chasing perfect numbers. As long as your tank is stable, your Anubias will be happy.
Fertilization: A Light Snacker
Because Anubias are “epiphytes” (plants that grow on other plants or objects), they primarily feed from the water column through their roots and rhizome, not from the substrate.
They are slow growers and therefore light feeders. You don’t need a nutrient-rich substrate for them. A good quality, comprehensive liquid fertilizer dosed once or twice a week is more than enough to provide the micronutrients they need. If your tank has fish, their waste will also provide a natural source of nitrates and phosphates.
Propagating Anubias: The Secret to an Eco-Friendly Aquarium
One of the most rewarding parts of keeping Anubias is how easy it is to propagate them. This is the heart of sustainable how to care for anubias plants practices. Why buy new plants when you can grow your own?
Over time, your Anubias rhizome will grow longer and sprout more leaves. Once the rhizome is a few inches long and has a healthy number of leaves, you can divide it.
- Locate a good spot: Look for a section of rhizome that has at least 3-4 healthy leaves.
- Make the cut: Using a sharp, clean razor blade or scissors, make a clean cut through the rhizome.
- You have a new plant!: That’s it! You now have two separate Anubias plants. You can attach the new piece to another rock or piece of wood and watch it grow.
This is a fantastic, eco-friendly how to care for anubias plants method for filling out your aquascape over time without spending more money.
Troubleshooting: Common Problems with How to Care for Anubias Plants
Even the toughest plants can run into issues. Here’s a quick rundown of common problems and how to fix them, turning you into an expert at diagnosing your tank.
Problem: Algae on the Leaves (Especially Black Beard or Green Spot Algae)
This is by far the most frequent issue. Because Anubias leaves grow so slowly, they provide a perfect, stable surface for algae to colonize.
- Cause: Almost always too much light and/or an imbalance of nutrients (often fluctuating CO2 levels).
- Solution: Reduce your lighting intensity or duration. Place the plant in a shadier spot. Ensure your nutrient levels are stable. For stubborn spots, you can do a “spot treatment” by turning off your filter, drawing a small amount of liquid carbon (like Seachem Excel) into a pipette, and applying it directly to the algae. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before turning the filter back on. The algae will often turn red/white and die off.
Problem: Yellowing Leaves
If you see leaves turning yellow, it’s usually a sign of a nutrient deficiency.
- Cause: Most often an iron or nitrogen deficiency.
- Solution: Start dosing a comprehensive liquid fertilizer that contains both macro- and micronutrients. If the new leaves look pale or white, it’s a strong sign of an iron deficiency.
Problem: Melting or Rotting Rhizome
This is the dreaded rhizome rot we discussed earlier.
- Cause: The rhizome was buried in the substrate.
- Solution: Immediately unbury the plant. If parts of the rhizome are soft and mushy, you can try to save it by cutting away all the rotten sections with a clean blade. If you can salvage a healthy piece with a few leaves, you can re-attach it and hope for the best.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anubias Care
Do Anubias plants need CO2?
No, they do not require CO2 injection. They are perfectly happy in low-tech tanks without supplemental CO2. Adding it can increase their growth rate slightly, but it also increases the risk of algae if not perfectly balanced with light and nutrients.
How fast do Anubias plants grow?
Extremely slowly. You might only see one new leaf every month or so. This is completely normal! Their slow growth is part of their appeal, as it means very little maintenance and a consistent look for your aquascape.
Can I let my Anubias float?
While it won’t kill the plant immediately, it’s not ideal. Anubias prefer to be anchored to something stable. Floating leaves them vulnerable to being tossed around by filter outflow and prevents their roots from establishing a firm hold, which is their natural tendency.
What are the best tank mates for Anubias?
Almost any community fish are great! They are especially popular in Betta tanks, cichlid tanks (due to their tough leaves), and shrimp tanks. Snails like Nerite Snails are also excellent companions, as they will often graze on any light algae that forms on the leaves.
Your Journey to a Lush Anubias Paradise
You now have the complete how to care for anubias plants care guide. It really boils down to a few simple, golden rules: keep the rhizome out of the substrate, provide low to moderate light, and maintain a stable tank environment.
By following these tips, you’re not just keeping a plant alive; you’re creating a thriving, beautiful, and low-maintenance underwater garden. You’re building a healthier ecosystem for your fish and a more peaceful, engaging view for yourself.
So go ahead, pick out a beautiful piece of driftwood, grab some super glue gel, and give your Anubias the home it deserves. Trust me, it will reward you with years of effortless green beauty. Happy scaping!
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