TankBud

Anubias hastifolia

Also known as Arrowhead Anubias, Spearhead Anubias

FreshwaterRhizomeRhizome division

Anubias hastifolia (Anubias hastifolia)
Aquarium Plants Factory · Used with permission

Care at a glance

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

Overview

Anubias hastifolia is one of the biggest anubias, a plant for the background of larger tanks or a feature in the midground. It is easy to keep, if very slow.

Did you know

Grown emersed, Anubias hastifolia gets far larger than it does underwater. Mature emersed plants throw leaf stalks well over 60 cm tall. One grown in a paludarium can tower over a meter from rhizome to leaf tip.

Caring for Anubias hastifolia

Attach the rhizome to substantial hardscape rather than burying it, since a covered rhizome rots. The long-stalked arrowhead leaves take up real space, so plan for its eventual size.

Anubias hastifolia does well in low light with no CO2. It feeds through its roots and from the water, so a liquid fertilizer covers it. It takes a pH from 6 to 8.

Growth is very slow, roughly one leaf a month. To make more plants, divide the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each.

Good to know

Anubias hastifolia belongs to the arum family, Araceae. It is named for its hastate leaves, shaped like a spear or halberd with pronounced basal lobes. That leaf shape sets it apart from the rounded barteri types.

In the wild

Anubias hastifolia is found in the rainforest belt of West and Central Africa. It grows on shaded streambanks and in marshy ground, often emersed at the water's edge. Its leaves rise above the surface of slow-moving, shaded water.

Common questions

Does Anubias hastifolia need to be planted in the substrate?

No. Anubias hastifolia 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 hastifolia need CO2?

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

How much light does Anubias hastifolia need?

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

Does Anubias hastifolia need root tabs?

No. Anubias hastifolia 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 hastifolia?

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

How tall does Anubias hastifolia grow?

Anubias hastifolia grows to about 15.7 in (40 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.

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