Anubias lanceolata

Care at a glance

Overview

The tall, narrow spear-shaped leaves make this a strong midground-to-background accent when the rhizome is tied or glued to wood or stone. As with all Anubias, keep the rhizome exposed (bury only the roots) or it will rot. It is undemanding, growing slowly in low light with no CO2 needed, though added CO2 and modest dosing speed it up. Give it room, since mature plants can throw leaves 30cm or more above the rhizome.

In the wild

Native to rivers, streams, and marshes across West Africa, from Gambia and Guinea through Ghana. It is an amphibious plant growing emersed on shaded banks and submersed in the water, anchored to rocks and roots in soft, often tannin-stained water.

Good to know

An Araceae and part of the variable Anubias barteri complex; it is widely treated as a synonym of Anubias barteri var. glabra and is also sold under the names angustifolia and minima. The narrow lance-shaped (lanceolate) leaves and long petioles give the name, and the taxonomy stays muddled because Anubias forms intergrade in the wild.

Did you know

Did you know the same plant sold as Anubias lanceolata is frequently relabeled by retailers as glabra, angustifolia, minima, or even heterophylla, so a hobbyist can buy four pots under four names and end up with the same species.

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