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Form of Anubias barteri

Anubias Chili

Anubias barteri var. nana 'Chili'

One of 29 forms of Anubias barteri · See all forms →

Also known as Anubias Chili Mini, Anubias 'Chilli', Anubias nana Chili

FreshwaterBrackishRhizomeRhizome division

Anubias Chili (Anubias barteri var. nana 'Chili')
Buce Plant · Used with permission

Forms · Anubias barteri

See all 29 →

Care at a glance

Light
Low light
CO2
No CO₂ needed
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
Max height
2 in
5 cm
Growth rate
Slow
Placement
Epiphyte
Type
Rhizome
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Spread
2.4 in (6 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Easy
Family
Araceae
Origin
Cultivar (parent species from western Africa)

Overview

Anubias Chili is a tiny anubias for the nano foreground or for detail on hardscape. It is easy and undemanding once attached.

Did you know

Anubias Chili grows so slowly that a single new leaf can take three weeks or more to appear. A plant you buy today may look almost identical a couple of months later, which is why patient nano aquascapers prize it.

Caring for Anubias Chili

Glue or tie the rhizome to driftwood or lava rock and never bury it. A buried rhizome rots, and the plant melts.

Anubias Chili does fine under low light and needs no CO2. Gentle liquid dosing helps, since it takes most of its nutrients from the water. Keep it at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C).

Growth is very slow, and it stays about 5 cm tall, so it rarely needs trimming. To propagate, cut the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each and attach each one.

Good to know

Anubias Chili is one of the smallest Anubias forms in the hobby, with leaves often only 1 to 2 cm long. The leaves are narrower than those of Nana Petite and resemble little chili peppers, which gives the plant its trade name. It is a dwarf sport of Anubias barteri var. nana in the family Araceae. It carries the same leathery leaves and thick creeping rhizome as its larger relatives.

In the wild

Anubias Chili is an aquarium cultivar with no wild population. Its parent species grows along shaded rivers and streams in western Africa, where it clings to submerged wood and rock as an epiphyte.

Common questions

Is Anubias Chili a different species from Anubias barteri?

No. Anubias Chili is a form of Anubias barteri. It reaches about 2 in (5 cm), against 13.8 in (35 cm) for the species. It also differs in difficulty, hardness, feeding, pH and spread.

Does Anubias Chili need to be planted in the substrate?

No. Anubias Chili grows attached to rock or wood, so tie or glue the rhizome in place. If you plant its roots, keep the rhizome above the substrate, since a buried rhizome rots.

Does Anubias Chili need CO2?

No. Anubias Chili grows well without added CO2 and suits a low-tech tank.

How much light does Anubias Chili need?

Anubias Chili is a low-light plant, and the light that comes with a standard tank kit is enough for it.

Does Anubias Chili need root tabs?

No. Anubias Chili feeds from the water, so a liquid fertilizer suits it better. Root tabs only help if its roots reach into the substrate.

How do you propagate Anubias Chili?

Anubias Chili propagates by rhizome division. Cut the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each, then tie or plant each piece.

How tall does Anubias Chili grow?

Anubias Chili grows to about 2 in (5 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.

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