Anubias hastifolia

Also known as Arrowhead Anubias, Spearhead Anubias

FreshwaterRhizomeRhizome division

Care at a glance

Light: Low light
CO2: No CO₂ needed
Growth rate: Slow
Placement: Background
Type: Rhizome
Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
pH: 6.0–8.0
Hardness: 3–15 dGH
Max height: 15.7 in (40 cm)
Spread: 11.8 in (30 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Root + water column
Growth region: Submersed or emersed
Difficulty: Easy
Origin: West and Central Africa (Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo region)
Family: Araceae

Overview

One of the biggest Anubias, suited to background placement in larger tanks or as a striking midground feature. Attach the rhizome to substantial hardscape rather than burying it, as the rhizome will rot if covered. It thrives in low light with no CO2, growing very slowly (roughly one leaf a month). The long-stalked arrowhead leaves take up real space, so plan for its eventual size and divide the rhizome to make more plants.

In the wild

Found in the rainforest belt of West and Central Africa, where it grows on shaded streambanks and in marshy ground. It often grows emersed at the water's edge, sending its distinctive arrow-shaped leaves up above the surface in slow-moving, shaded water.

Good to know

A member of the genus Anubias in the arum family, Araceae. It is one of the largest Anubias species, named hastifolia for its hastate (spear or halberd shaped) leaves that have pronounced basal lobes. Mature emersed plants can throw leaf stalks well over 60 cm tall, far larger than typical submersed aquarium growth.

Did you know

Its arrowhead leaf shape sets it apart from the rounded barteri types, and a single emersed specimen grown in a paludarium can tower over a meter from rhizome to leaf tip.