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Form of Anubias barteri

Anubias coffeefolia

Anubias barteri var. coffeefolia

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

Also known as Anubias barteri var. Coffeifolia, Coffeefolia

FreshwaterBrackishRhizomeRhizome division

Anubias coffeefolia (Anubias barteri var. coffeefolia)
Aquarium Plants Factory · 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
9.8 in
25 cm
Growth rate
Slow
Placement
Epiphyte
Type
Rhizome
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Spread
5.9 in (15 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Easy
Family
Araceae
Origin
Cultivated form of Anubias barteri (parent species native to West Africa)

Overview

Anubias coffeefolia is a compact anubias for wood or stone in the midground or foreground. It is rated easy.

Did you know

New leaves of Anubias coffeefolia lack mature chlorophyll, so each one glows reddish-brown for a week or two before darkening. An established clump shows a constantly changing two-tone look of bronze and green.

Caring for Anubias coffeefolia

Tie or glue the rhizome to wood or rock. Never bury it, since a buried rhizome rots.

Anubias coffeefolia grows in low light with no CO2. It takes nutrients through both leaves and roots, so a little liquid fertilizer in the water column is plenty. Keep it at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C).

Growth is very slow, so the leaves can collect algae over time. Place it where there is gentle flow, and keep the light modest. To propagate, cut the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each.

Good to know

Anubias coffeefolia belongs to the arum family, Araceae, and is a selected cultivar of Anubias barteri rather than a wild-collected variety. Its leaf surface is distinctly bullate, puckered between the veins. That is the trait the cultivar was named and selected for. Shops also list it as Anubias barteri var. Coffeifolia.

In the wild

The wild parent of Anubias coffeefolia, Anubias barteri, grows along rivers and streams in tropical West Africa. It attaches to rocks and submerged wood. It is amphibious, growing both submersed and emersed, and roots into hardscape rather than the substrate.

Common questions

Is Anubias coffeefolia a different species from Anubias barteri?

No. Anubias coffeefolia is a form of Anubias barteri. It reaches about 9.8 in (25 cm), against 13.8 in (35 cm) for the species. It also differs in difficulty, hardness, feeding, pH and spread.

Does Anubias coffeefolia need to be planted in the substrate?

No. Anubias coffeefolia 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 coffeefolia need CO2?

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

How much light does Anubias coffeefolia need?

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

Does Anubias coffeefolia need root tabs?

No. Anubias coffeefolia 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 coffeefolia?

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

How tall does Anubias coffeefolia grow?

Anubias coffeefolia grows to about 9.8 in (25 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.

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