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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

Anubias Supernova is a tall, slow-growing anubias for wood or stone in the midground or background. Plants reach 20 to 36 cm, and it is an easy beginner plant.

Did you know

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

Caring for Anubias Supernova

Tie or glue the rhizome to driftwood or stone, and keep it above the substrate, since a buried rhizome rots. Place it where it gets some current, which keeps spot algae down and lets the long, wavy leaves sway.

Anubias Supernova is a low-light plant, and brighter light mostly grows spot algae on its slow leaves. It grows without injected CO2. It feeds through its roots and from the water, so a liquid fertilizer suits it. Keep it at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C) and pH 6 to 7.5.

Expect a new leaf every three to four weeks, a little faster with CO2. At that pace it rarely needs trimming. To propagate it, cut the rhizome into sections of three or more leaves and tie each one down.

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'. Its long, lance-shaped leaves have deep veins and heavily ruffled edges. Despite the name, it is not variegated, and its leaves are plain dark green.

In the wild

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

Common questions

Does Anubias Supernova need to be planted in the substrate?

No. Anubias Supernova 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 Supernova need CO2?

No, but it helps. Anubias Supernova can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does Anubias Supernova need?

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

Does Anubias Supernova need root tabs?

No. Anubias Supernova 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 Supernova?

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

How tall does Anubias Supernova grow?

Anubias Supernova grows to about 14.2 in (36 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.

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