How To Growing Anubias Nana Out Of Water – A Paludarium & Wabi Kusa
Have you ever looked at your aquarium and imagined lush, green leaves breaking through the water’s surface, creating a living bridge between the aquatic world and the air above? It’s a stunning image, and with one of the hobby’s hardiest plants, it’s easier to achieve than you think.
Many of us know and love Anubias Nana as a nearly indestructible underwater plant. But here’s a little secret from one aquarist to another: its true potential is unlocked when you grow it emersed—with its roots in the water and leaves in the air. This method often leads to faster growth, more vibrant leaves, and even the delightful surprise of a flower.
Imagine a miniature shoreline in your living room, with deep green Anubias leaves glistening under the light, creating a breathtaking focal point in a paludarium or wabi-kusa setup. It’s a dynamic, beautiful, and surprisingly low-maintenance way to elevate your aquascape.
If you’re ready to explore this next level of aquascaping, you’re in the right place. In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to growing anubias nana out of water, turning your aquarium into a true work of natural art.
Why Grow Anubias Nana Emersed? The Surprising Benefits
Before we dive into the “how-to,” let’s talk about the “why.” You might be wondering what the advantages are. The benefits of how to growing anubias nana out of water go far beyond just aesthetics, offering tangible rewards for both the plant and the aquarist.
Faster Growth and Healthier Leaves
In its natural habitat in West Africa, Anubias often grows along the banks of streams and rivers, with its roots trailing in the water. This is its happy place! When grown emersed, the plant has unlimited access to atmospheric CO2, which is far more abundant than the CO2 dissolved in aquarium water.
This easy access to carbon dioxide fuels photosynthesis, resulting in noticeably faster growth, larger leaves, and a deeper, more waxy green color. Don’t worry—it’s still a slow-grower, but you’ll see a definite difference.
The Joy of Anubias Flowers
One of the most rewarding experiences is seeing your Anubias bloom. While it can happen underwater, it’s a much more common and frequent event in an emersed setup. The flowers look like small, white or cream-colored peace lilies (a distant relative!) and are a true sign of a happy, thriving plant.
A Natural Algae Deterrent
Tired of scrubbing algae off those beautiful, slow-growing leaves? When the leaves are out of the water, algae simply can’t grow on them. This is a game-changer for many hobbyists, keeping your Anubias looking pristine with zero extra effort.
Getting Started: Your Essential Supply Checklist
Ready to give it a try? The great news is you don’t need a ton of fancy equipment. Here’s a simple checklist to get you started on your journey. This is a key part of our how to growing anubias nana out of water guide.
- A Healthy Anubias Nana Plant: Look for a plant with firm, green leaves and a thick, healthy rhizome (the horizontal stem-like part where leaves and roots grow).
- A Suitable Container: This can be a paludarium, a riparium, a large glass vase, or even a shallow tank with the water level lowered. The key is that it can hold water at the bottom and maintain humidity.
- Hardscape: A piece of driftwood or porous rock (like lava rock) is perfect for mounting your Anubias.
- Mounting Supplies: You’ll need either aquarium-safe super glue gel (like cyanoacrylate) or a dark-colored cotton thread.
- Lighting: A simple LED light or even a desk lamp with a full-spectrum bulb will work perfectly. Anubias doesn’t need intense light.
- A Lid or Cover: A glass lid, plastic wrap, or a fitted cover is crucial for trapping humidity, especially in the beginning.
The Step-by-Step Guide on How to Growing Anubias Nana Out of Water
Alright, let’s get our hands wet! This step-by-step process is simple and incredibly satisfying. Follow these instructions, and you’ll be on your way to a stunning emersed display.
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Step 1: Acclimate Your Plant
If your Anubias has been living fully submerged, it needs a gentle transition. Start by placing it in your new setup and covering the top to trap humidity. Misting the leaves once or twice a day for the first week helps them adjust from a life underwater to a life in the air.
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Step 2: Prepare Your Hardscape
Thoroughly rinse your chosen driftwood or rock to remove any dust or debris. Position it in your container so that part of it is submerged and part of it is above the waterline. This will be the home for your Anubias.
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Step 3: Secure the Anubias
This is the most important step. Identify the rhizome—the thick, horizontal part of the plant. Never bury the rhizome! Buried rhizomes will rot and kill the plant.
Apply a small dab of super glue gel to the hardscape, press a small section of the rhizome onto it for 30 seconds, and you’re set. Alternatively, you can loosely tie the rhizome to the hardscape with cotton thread, which will dissolve over time as the roots take hold.
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Step 4: Position for Success
Place the mounted Anubias so that the rhizome and leaves are entirely out of the water, while the roots are dangling down into the water below. This mimics its natural environment perfectly and is the secret to success.
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Step 5: Dial in Humidity and Light
Place your light source above the container and cover the top to trap moisture. You should see condensation on the glass—that’s a great sign! If the air in your home is very dry, a daily misting will keep the leaves happy and hydrated.
Care and Maintenance: Best Practices for Thriving Emersed Growth
Once your Anubias is set up, the hard part is over. Seriously, it’s that easy! Now it’s just about simple maintenance. This how to growing anubias nana out of water care guide focuses on a few key principles.
The Golden Rule: High Humidity is Key
The single most important factor for success is humidity. Anubias leaves will dry out and turn crispy if the air is too dry. Keeping a lid on your setup is the easiest way to maintain a humid microclimate. If you prefer an open-top look, you’ll need to mist the leaves with a spray bottle at least once a day.
Watering and Nutrients
Since the roots are in the water, the plant will water itself. Just be sure to top off the water as it evaporates. Every few weeks, you can add a half-dose of a comprehensive liquid aquarium fertilizer to the water to provide essential nutrients for growth.
Lighting Requirements
One of the best things about Anubias is its low light requirement. Bright, direct sunlight will scorch its leaves. Instead, provide low to medium indirect light for about 6-8 hours a day. An inexpensive LED clip-on light is often more than enough.
Troubleshooting Common Problems with How to Growing Anubias Nana Out of Water
Even with a plant as tough as Anubias, you might hit a snag. Don’t worry! Here are solutions to the most common problems with how to growing anubias nana out of water.
Why Are My Leaves Drying Out or Turning Crispy?
This is almost always a humidity issue. The air is too dry. Increase misting frequency or ensure your container is properly covered to trap moisture. You can also try moving it to a more humid room, like a bathroom or kitchen.
Help! My Rhizome is Rotting!
This happens when the rhizome is kept constantly wet or submerged. The rhizome needs to be in the air, not the water. If you notice it getting soft or mushy, reposition the plant higher on your hardscape immediately. You can trim away any rotted parts with a clean blade.
My Plant Isn’t Growing. What’s Wrong?
Patience, my friend! Anubias is a slow-growing plant by nature. If it’s been several weeks with no new leaves, check your lighting and consider adding a small amount of liquid fertilizer to the water. As long as the existing leaves look healthy, the plant is likely just settling in.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Anubias Cultivation
Part of being a great aquarist is being a responsible one. Embracing sustainable how to growing anubias nana out of water practices is easy and rewarding. The best way to get more plants is to propagate the one you have!
Once your Anubias has a long, healthy rhizome with at least 8-10 leaves, you can easily propagate it. Simply take a clean razor blade and cut the rhizome into two or more pieces, ensuring each piece has at least 3-4 leaves and some roots. That’s it! You’ve just created new plants for free, which you can use in other projects or trade with fellow hobbyists. This is an incredibly eco-friendly how to growing anubias nana out of water approach to expanding your collection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Anubias Nana Emersed
Can Anubias Nana live completely out of water?
No, not entirely. While its leaves thrive in the air, its roots must have consistent access to water or a very moist substrate. It cannot survive as a typical houseplant in dry soil.
How long does it take for Anubias Nana to adapt to emersed growth?
Typically, the transition takes about 2-4 weeks. You might see an old leaf or two melt away, which is perfectly normal. Soon after, you should spot the tiny nubs of new, air-adapted leaves beginning to form.
Do I need CO2 injection for emersed Anubias Nana?
Absolutely not! That’s one of the biggest benefits. The plant gets all the CO2 it could ever want directly from the atmosphere, which is why it often grows faster out of the water.
Can I transition a plant that has algae on its leaves?
Yes, and you should! It’s a great way to save an algae-covered plant. Once the leaves are out of the water and in the air, the algae will dry up and die off within a few days. You can then gently wipe it away.
Your Journey into Emersed Growth Awaits
There you have it—everything you need to confidently start growing Anubias Nana out of water. It’s a project that combines the best of aquariums and terrariums, creating a unique and captivating display that is sure to be a conversation starter.
Remember the keys to success: keep the rhizome out of the water, keep the roots in the water, and maintain high humidity. It’s a simple formula for a stunning result.
So go ahead, grab a beautiful piece of Anubias Nana, and start creating your own little piece of the riverbank. Happy scaping!
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