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Anubias Supernova

Anubias 'Supernova'

Also known as Anubias heterophylla 'Supernova', Anubias heterophylla var. 'Supernova', Anubias Super Nova, Supernova Anubias

FreshwaterRhizomeRhizome division

Anubias Supernova (Anubias 'Supernova')
Aquarium Plants Factory · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light
Low light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
Max height
14.2 in
36 cm
Growth rate
Slow
Placement
Epiphyte
Type
Rhizome
pH
6.0–7.5
Spread
9.8 in (25 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Beginner
Family
Araceae
Origin
Cultivated form (Thai nursery selection, no wild range)

Overview

Tie or glue the Supernova rhizome to driftwood or stone and keep it above the substrate, since buried rhizomes rot. Plants reach 20 to 36 cm tall and fit the midground or background. Low to medium light is enough, and brighter light mostly grows spot algae on the slow-growing leaves. Expect a new leaf every three to four weeks, a little faster with CO2. Give it some current, which keeps spot algae down and lets the long wavy leaves sway. Cut the rhizome into sections of three or more leaves to propagate it.

In the wild

Anubias Supernova is a nursery plant with no wild population. Aquarium Plants Factory says it was raised by a Thai nursery, and that grower still sells it as Anubias heterophylla 'Supernova'. Wild A. heterophylla grows from Cameroon and Gabon to the two Congos and Angola, on rocky ground beside shaded rainforest streams. Plants there often sit partly underwater.

Good to know

Anubias Supernova belongs to the arum family, Araceae. Shops sell it as a form of Anubias heterophylla, while Aquarium Plants Factory also calls it a hybrid. No seller names both parents, so its parentage is unverified, and it is written as the cultivar Anubias 'Supernova'. The long, lance-shaped leaves have deep veins and heavily ruffled edges. Supernova is not variegated despite its name, and its leaves are plain dark green.

Did you know

Supernova grows as tall as a big Anubias, up to about 36 cm, yet its narrow leaves let light reach the plants below. Broad-leaved Anubias of the same size cast much more shade.

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