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Form of Anubias barteri

Anubias petite

Anubias barteri var. nana 'Petite'

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

Also known as Anubias nana petite, Anubias barteri 'Petite', Anubias 'Bonsai'

FreshwaterBrackishRhizomeRhizome division

Anubias petite (Anubias barteri var. nana 'Petite')
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
2 in
5 cm
Growth rate
Slow
Placement
Epiphyte
Type
Rhizome
pH
6.0–8.0
Hardness
2–18 dGH
Spread
3.9 in (10 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Easy
Family
Araceae
Origin
Cultivated (Oriental Aquarium, Singapore)

Overview

Anubias petite is the smallest common anubias, at home in nano tanks and in foreground hardscape detail. It is easy to keep if you are patient.

Did you know

Anubias petite is a man-made plant. It began as a dwarf mutation of Anubias barteri var. nana, selected and propagated at the Oriental Aquarium nursery in Singapore.

Caring for Anubias petite

Glue or tie Anubias petite onto small stones, branches or crevices, and keep the rhizome uncovered so it does not rot. Let the roots grip the surface on their own. Nursery plants are grown emersed at the farm, and they adapt readily to life underwater.

It wants low light and no added CO2. Too much light is the biggest mistake, since it fouls the tiny leaves with algae. Keep it shaded, and feed it a liquid fertilizer, since it takes its food from the water column.

Growth is very slow, often just one new leaf every few weeks, so be patient. That slow pace is why aquascapers prize it for tight nano layouts that stay put for months. Divide the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each to make more plants.

Good to know

Anubias petite is still an aroid in the family Araceae, with a creeping rhizome and tiny leaves often under 2 cm. The rhizome branches to form dense little clumps. As a fixed cultivar it is never grown from seed in the trade, and some shops sell it as Anubias 'Bonsai'.

In the wild

Anubias petite does not exist in the wild. Its parent, Anubias nana, comes from shaded West African streams in Cameroon. There the parent plant clings to rocks and wood.

Common questions

Is Anubias petite a different species from Anubias barteri?

No. Anubias petite 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 and spread.

Does Anubias petite need to be planted in the substrate?

No. Anubias petite 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 petite need CO2?

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

How much light does Anubias petite need?

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

Does Anubias petite need root tabs?

No. Anubias petite 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 petite?

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

How tall does Anubias petite grow?

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

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