How To Grow Anubias Nana Emersed: Your Complete Guide To Lush,

Written ByHoward Parker

Have you ever looked at your beautiful, fully submerged aquarium and thought, “What if I could bring this lush greenery above the water?” It’s a common feeling for aquascapers who want to create a more dynamic, three-dimensional piece of living art. Many of us assume our favorite aquatic plants must stay completely underwater to survive.

But what if I told you that one of the hardiest, most beloved plants in the hobby—the trusty Anubias nana—not only survives but absolutely thrives when grown partially out of water? This is the secret to creating stunning paludariums, ripariums, and Wabi-Kusa setups that will make your friends green with envy. Learning how to grow anubias nana emersed is your ticket to a whole new level of aquascaping.

Imagine those iconic, deep green, waxy leaves breaking the surface, catching the light in a way they never could underwater. Picture them flowering more readily, free from the threat of pesky algae. This isn’t a complicated, expert-only technique. It’s surprisingly simple.

Stick with me, and this guide will walk you through everything you need to know. We’ll cover the setup, the transition process, and the simple care routines to unlock the incredible potential of emersed Anubias growth. Let’s get started!

Why Grow Anubias Nana Emersed? The Surprising Benefits

Before we dive into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” Transitioning your Anubias nana to emersed growth isn’t just a cool experiment; it comes with a host of practical advantages. Understanding the benefits of how to grow anubias nana emersed will show you why it’s a favorite technique among seasoned aquarists.

  • Faster, More Robust Growth: The number one reason? Unlimited access to carbon dioxide (CO2). Underwater, plants compete for dissolved CO2. In the air, it’s abundant and free! This leads to noticeably faster growth, larger leaves, and a healthier overall plant.
  • Goodbye, Pesky Algae: Algae is the bane of many aquarists’ existence, and the slow-growing leaves of Anubias are often prime real estate for it. When grown emersed, the leaves stay dry, making it nearly impossible for common aquarium algae like Black Beard Algae or Green Spot Algae to take hold.
  • A Whole New Aesthetic: Emersed Anubias opens the door to breathtaking setups. You can create a lush shoreline in a paludarium, a riverbank feel in a riparium, or a minimalist Wabi-Kusa bowl. The contrast between the aquatic and terrestrial elements is simply stunning.
  • More Frequent Flowering: Have you ever seen an Anubias flower? It’s a beautiful, white, peace lily-like bloom. While it can happen underwater, it’s a much more common and frequent event in emersed setups, adding another layer of beauty to your display.
  • A Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Approach: This method can be part of a more sustainable how to grow anubias nana emersed practice. Setups like Wabi-Kusa use minimal equipment and water, reducing the overall environmental footprint of your hobby. You also end up propagating more of your own plants, reducing the need to buy new ones.

Getting Started: Essential Supplies for Your Emersed Setup

Don’t worry—you don’t need a ton of expensive, specialized gear. The beauty of this project is its scalability. You can go all-out with a large paludarium or start with a simple desktop container. Here’s what you’ll need.

Choosing Your Anubias Nana

Start with a healthy plant. Look for one with a firm, green rhizome (the thick, horizontal stem from which leaves and roots grow). Avoid any plants with soft, mushy, or black spots on the rhizome. A few healthy, unwilted leaves are a great sign.

The Right Container or Tank

Your creativity is the only limit here. The key requirement is the ability to maintain high humidity and keep the plant’s roots wet while the leaves are in the air.

  • Paludariums/Ripariums: These are tanks specifically designed with both land and water sections. They are the ideal choice for a large, dedicated display.
  • Shallow Aquariums: A standard 10-gallon tank with a low water level and a tight-fitting lid works perfectly.
  • Glass Jars or Vases: For a beautiful Wabi-Kusa or desktop setup, a large glass jar, a vase, or even a fishbowl can be an excellent, budget-friendly option. A lid or plastic wrap is essential to trap humidity.

Substrate and Mounting Materials

This is critical: Anubias are epiphytes. They grow attached to surfaces, not buried in substrate. Never, ever bury the rhizome in soil or gravel, as it will rot and kill the plant.

  • Mounts: You’ll want to attach your Anubias to something. Driftwood and lava rock are classic, natural-looking choices.
  • Adhesives: A dab of aquarium-safe super glue gel (cyanoacrylate) is the fastest way to attach the plant. You can also use dark cotton thread or fishing line, which can be removed after the roots have taken hold.

Lighting and Humidity Control

These two elements are the cornerstones of success.

  • Lighting: A simple, full-spectrum LED light will do the trick. Anubias are low-to-medium light plants, so you don’t need a blindingly powerful fixture. A clip-on desk lamp with a daylight LED bulb can even work for smaller setups.
  • Humidity: This is non-negotiable. Emersed Anubias need at least 80% humidity to prevent their leaves from drying out. A tight-fitting glass lid, a sheet of acrylic, or even clear plastic wrap is essential to trap moisture. A spray bottle for daily misting is your best friend here.

The Complete How to Grow Anubias Nana Emersed Guide: Step-by-Step

Ready to get your hands wet (and then dry)? Following this step-by-step how to grow anubias nana emersed guide will ensure a smooth and successful transition for your plant. Patience is key here, so don’t rush the process!

  1. Step 1: Acclimate Your Plant
    Your Anubias has spent its life adapted to being underwater. Simply pulling it out into the open air is a shock. To ease the transition, place the plant in your new setup and keep the lid on tightly from day one. For the first week, mist the leaves 2-3 times a day to keep them constantly moist. This helps the plant adjust from aquatic to terrestrial life.

  2. Step 2: Prepare and Mount Your Anubias
    Take your plant and gently rinse its roots. If there are any dead or yellowing leaves, you can trim them off at the rhizome. Choose a spot on your driftwood or rock. Apply a small amount of super glue gel to the rock, press a section of the rhizome onto the glue, and hold for 30 seconds. That’s it! If using thread, simply tie the rhizome securely but not so tightly that it cuts into the plant.

  3. Step 3: Position in Your Setup
    Place the mounted Anubias in your container. The golden rule is: roots wet, leaves dry. The rhizome and roots should be at or just above the waterline, constantly touching the water or a moisture-wicked surface. The leaves should be entirely in the air. This positioning allows the plant to draw water and nutrients while its leaves access atmospheric CO2.

  4. Step 4: Dial in the Environment
    Put the lid on your container to immediately start trapping humidity. Position your light above the setup and set it on a timer for 8-10 hours per day. Maintain a stable room temperature; Anubias are tropical plants and prefer temperatures between 72-82°F (22-28°C). Mist the inside of the container daily to keep humidity levels high.

  5. Step 5: Watering and Nutrients
    Ensure the water level stays consistent so the roots never dry out. Since the plant is no longer absorbing nutrients from a water column full of fish waste, you’ll need to provide them. A great pro-tip is foliar feeding. Once a week, mist the leaves with a comprehensive liquid aquarium fertilizer diluted to 1/4 or 1/2 strength. This provides all the nutrition it needs directly to the leaves.

Anubias Nana Emersed Care Guide: Best Practices for Long-Term Success

Once your plant is settled, ongoing care is incredibly simple. This how to grow anubias nana emersed care guide focuses on the few key things you need to do to ensure your plant flourishes for years to come. These are the how to grow anubias nana emersed best practices that separate good results from great ones.

Maintaining High Humidity

This is the most important part of long-term care. If you notice the edges of leaves turning brown or crispy, your humidity is too low. Ensure your lid is always on securely. A daily misting helps, even in a sealed container, as it keeps the leaves hydrated and clean.

Lighting Like a Pro

While Anubias can now grow faster, it’s still a low-light plant at heart. Too much intense, direct light can scorch the leaves, turning them yellow or pale. Stick to a consistent 8-10 hour photoperiod with a standard-output LED. If you see signs of scorching, reduce the light’s intensity or duration.

Fertilization Routine

Consistency is more important than quantity. A light misting with diluted all-in-one fertilizer once a week or every two weeks is plenty. Over-fertilizing can lead to nutrient burn on the leaves. Always err on the side of using less.

Pruning and Propagation

As your Anubias grows, older leaves may naturally yellow and die off. Simply snip them off at the base with clean scissors. To propagate, wait until the rhizome is at least 3-4 inches long. You can then cut it with a sharp blade, ensuring each new piece has at least 3-4 healthy leaves. Mount the new piece, and you’ve just doubled your stock for free!

Troubleshooting Common Problems with How to Grow Anubias Nana Emersed

Even with the best care, you might run into a hiccup or two. Don’t panic! Here are the solutions to the most common problems with how to grow anubias nana emersed.

Why Are My Leaves Drying Out or Turning Crispy?

This is almost always a humidity issue. The air is too dry, causing the leaves to lose water faster than the roots can absorb it.

Solution: Double-check that your lid is sealed. Increase your misting frequency to twice a day. If your container is open-topped, you absolutely must add a cover.

My Plant is Melting! What Did I Do Wrong?

You probably did nothing wrong! It’s common for some of the original, submerged-grown leaves to “melt” or die back during the transition. These leaves are adapted for underwater life and are being replaced by new, stronger leaves adapted for emersed conditions.

Solution: Be patient. As long as the rhizome is firm and healthy, the plant is fine. Trim off the melting leaves and wait for new growth to appear. This is a normal phase.

Slow or Stagnant Growth

After the initial transition period (a few weeks), you should see slow but steady growth. If it seems completely stalled, it’s likely one of two things.

Solution: Check your light—is it on for at least 8 hours a day? If so, it’s likely a nutrient deficiency. Start your weekly foliar feeding routine with diluted fertilizer. You should see a response within a couple of weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Anubias Nana Emersed

Can Anubias nana grow fully out of water?

No, this is a common misconception. Anubias is a marginal or semi-aquatic plant. While its leaves thrive in the air, its rhizome and roots must remain constantly wet or in direct contact with a water source to survive.

How fast does Anubias nana grow emersed?

It grows significantly faster than when submerged, thanks to unlimited CO2 access. However, it’s still an Anubias, which is a naturally slow-growing species. A healthy emersed plant might produce a new leaf every 2-4 weeks, which is fantastic progress for this plant.

Do I need CO2 injection for emersed growth?

Absolutely not! This is one of the biggest perks. The plant gets all the CO2 it could ever want directly from the atmosphere, for free. You can save your CO2 system for your fully submerged tanks.

Will my Anubias flower when grown emersed?

Your chances increase dramatically! The stable, high-humidity environment and easy access to CO2 often trigger Anubias to produce their lovely, spathe-style flowers. It’s a true reward for your efforts.

Your Journey into Emersed Growth Awaits

You now have all the knowledge and expert tips you need to succeed. Learning how to grow anubias nana emersed is more than just a new planting technique; it’s a gateway to creating more complex, naturalistic, and breathtaking aquascapes.

Remember the keys to success: high humidity is non-negotiable, the rhizome must never be buried, and patience during the initial transition is your greatest tool. The process is incredibly rewarding, watching those first new, waxy leaves unfurl in the open air.

So go ahead and grab a spare jar, a beautiful piece of driftwood, and a healthy Anubias. Go create your own slice of the rainforest and watch your Anubias nana thrive in a way you never thought possible!

Howard Parker
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