Anubias barteri

Also known as Anubias barteri var. barteri, Broad leaf Anubias

FreshwaterBrackishRhizomeRhizome division

Anubias barteri (Anubias barteri) — Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Light: Low light
CO2: No CO₂ needed
Growth rate: Slow
Placement: Epiphyte
Type: Rhizome
Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
pH: 6.0–8.0
Hardness: 2–18 dGH
Max height: 13.8 in (35 cm)
Spread: 9.8 in (25 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Water column
Growth region: Submersed or emersed
Difficulty: Beginner
Origin: West Africa
Family: Araceae

Overview

Use it as a midground or background accent and attach the rhizome to wood or rock with thread, glue gel, or by wedging it into a crevice. Never bury the rhizome in substrate or it will rot, just let the roots grab the surface. It thrives on low light and no CO2, drawing nutrients from the water column, though dosing helps. The main pitfall is algae on the slow-growing leaves, so keep it shaded and the tank stable.

In the wild

Anubias barteri grows along streams and rivers across tropical West Africa, from Nigeria and Cameroon through the surrounding region. It clings to rocks and submerged wood in fast-flowing, often shaded water, growing both submersed and emersed depending on water level. In the wild it spends much of the year above water as a marsh plant and floods seasonally.

Good to know

A member of the arum family (Araceae), it grows from a creeping rhizome rather than spreading by runners, with thick leathery leaves and a tough root system that anchors to hard surfaces. The genus was named after Anubis, the Egyptian god, a nod to its preference for shade. Like other aroids it can flower underwater, producing a small spadix and spathe.

Did you know

Anubias leaves are so tough and bitter that even notorious plant-eaters like goldfish, cichlids, and silver dollars usually leave them alone, which is why it is a go-to plant for tanks where everything else gets shredded.