Home » Anubias Barteri Care Guide: Light, Growth, Propagation & Tank Setup

Nov 16

Anubias Barteri Care Guide: Light, Growth, Propagation & Tank Setup

Flower of aquarium plant Anubias barteri in aquarium | Andrey Nikitin

Few aquarium plants are as forgiving, versatile, and instantly recognizable as Anubias barteri.

With its thick, deep-green leaves and slow, steady growth, Anubias can thrive in places where fussier aquarium plants struggle. It tolerates low light, does not require injected CO₂, can be attached directly to driftwood or stone, and works beautifully in everything from beginner community tanks to carefully designed aquascapes.

There is one rule, however, that every Anubias keeper needs to know:

Never bury the rhizome.

Get that part right, give the plant reasonable light and stable aquarium conditions, and Anubias barteri can become one of the easiest plants in your tank.

🌿 Anubias Barteri at a Glance

Care RequirementAnubias Barteri
Scientific nameAnubias barteri
Plant typeRhizomatous perennial
Native rangeWestern and west-central tropical Africa
DifficultyEasy
Growth rateSlow
LightLow to moderate
CO₂ required?No
Best placementMidground, hardscape, shaded areas
Substrate required?No
Best attachmentRock, driftwood, aquarium décor
PropagationRhizome division
Beginner friendly?Yes

Its combination of durability and attractive foliage makes Anubias barteri especially useful for aquarists who want live plants without turning their aquarium into a high-maintenance planted tank.

🌍 Where Does Anubias Barteri Come From?

Anubias barteri is native to tropical regions of western and west-central Africa.

In nature, Anubias species are associated with moist environments such as shaded streams and rocky waterways. Their growth habit helps explain why they adapt so well to aquarium hardscape.

Unlike plants that depend primarily on roots buried deeply in nutrient-rich substrate, Anubias develops a thick horizontal structure called a rhizome.

Leaves and roots emerge from this rhizome.

Understanding that structure is the key to understanding how to grow Anubias successfully in an aquarium.

🌱 What Is the Anubias Rhizome?

The rhizome is the thick, usually horizontal stem running along the base of an Anubias plant.

It may look like a large green or brown root, but it is actually the central growing structure of the plant.

Individual roots grow downward from the rhizome, while leaves grow upward.

This distinction matters because:

Roots can go into substrate. The rhizome should remain exposed.

If the entire rhizome is buried under gravel, sand, or aquasoil, poor circulation around it can lead to decay.

This is probably the single most common Anubias planting mistake.

🪨 How to Plant Anubias Barteri

The easiest way to plant Anubias barteri is not really to “plant” it at all.

Instead, attach it to a solid object.

Good choices include:

  • Driftwood
  • Aquarium-safe rocks
  • Lava rock
  • Stone
  • Aquarium décor
  • Crevices between pieces of hardscape

Position the rhizome against the surface while allowing the roots to hang naturally.

Over time, the roots can grow around and attach themselves to the hardscape.

Attaching Anubias to Driftwood or Rock

You have several options.

You can temporarily secure the plant using aquarium-safe thread or fishing line until the roots take hold.

Aquarium-safe cyanoacrylate super glue gel is another popular method. A tiny amount can be used to hold the rhizome or roots against a dry section of hardscape before the piece is returned to the aquarium.

Do not completely coat the rhizome with glue.

The goal is simply to keep the plant in place while it establishes itself.

🏖️ Can You Plant Anubias Barteri in Gravel or Sand?

Yes—but carefully.

The fine roots can extend into gravel, sand, or planted-tank substrate.

The rhizome must remain above the substrate surface.

A good approach is to position the plant so that only its roots are tucked gently into the substrate while the thick horizontal rhizome remains visible.

If that feels awkward, attaching Anubias to a rock or piece of wood is usually easier and safer.

💡 Anubias Barteri Light Requirements

Anubias barteri is famous for its ability to grow under relatively low light.

That makes it useful for:

  • Low-tech planted tanks
  • Shaded aquascapes
  • Aquariums without powerful plant lights
  • Areas beneath taller plants
  • Tanks where intense lighting is undesirable

More light does not necessarily mean better Anubias growth.

Because the plant grows slowly, its leaves can remain in place for a long time. Under strong lighting, those durable leaves can become convenient surfaces for algae.

For many tanks, low to moderate light is preferable to intense illumination.

If algae repeatedly develops on the leaves, increasing the light is usually not the answer.

Consider reducing intensity, shortening an overly long photoperiod, repositioning the plant into partial shade, and addressing overall aquarium nutrient and algae balance.

🌑 Can Anubias Grow in Low Light?

Yes.

Low-light tolerance is one of the reasons Anubias is such a popular beginner aquarium plant.

It can often grow successfully in shaded areas where more demanding plants become weak or leggy.

Growth may be slow, but slow growth is normal for Anubias.

If the plant continues producing firm new leaves and the rhizome remains healthy, a lack of rapid growth is not necessarily a problem.

📏 How Fast Does Anubias Barteri Grow?

Anubias barteri is a slow-growing aquarium plant.

Do not expect it to fill a tank in a few weeks.

Instead, new leaves generally appear gradually from the growing ends of the rhizome.

This slow pace has both advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages

Because Anubias grows slowly, it:

  • Requires little trimming
  • Maintains an aquascape’s shape for long periods
  • Rarely becomes invasive
  • Works well in low-maintenance tanks
  • Can remain attached to permanent hardscape

Disadvantages

Slow growth means damaged leaves take time to replace, and older leaves may become covered in algae if conditions favor algae growth.

Patience is part of keeping Anubias.

✂️ Should You Trim Anubias?

Anubias does not need frequent pruning.

Remove leaves when they become:

  • Severely damaged
  • Heavily coated in persistent algae
  • Yellowing and deteriorating
  • Soft or decaying

Cut the leaf stem close to the rhizome using clean aquarium scissors.

Avoid damaging the rhizome itself.

Healthy older leaves do not need to be removed simply because the plant is growing slowly.

💧 Water Conditions for Anubias Barteri

One reason Anubias barteri works so well in community aquariums is its adaptability.

Rather than chasing one exact pH or hardness number, focus on providing stable, clean freshwater conditions suitable for the fish and other inhabitants in the tank.

Consistency is generally more valuable than constantly altering water chemistry in pursuit of a perfect number.

Regular aquarium maintenance should include:

  • Appropriate filtration
  • Routine water changes
  • Removal of decaying plant material
  • Monitoring ammonia and nitrite in stocked aquariums
  • Maintaining conditions suitable for your livestock

If Anubias is being added to a brand-new aquarium, remember that live plants do not eliminate the need to understand the aquarium nitrogen cycle.

For help setting up a new tank, see How to Set Up Your First Aquarium: A Beginner’s Guide That Won’t Kill Your Fish.

🫧 Does Anubias Barteri Need CO₂?

No.

Injected carbon dioxide is not required to grow healthy Anubias barteri.

That makes it an excellent choice for low-tech planted aquariums.

CO₂ supplementation may influence growth in carefully managed planted tanks, but beginners do not need to install a pressurized CO₂ system simply to keep Anubias alive.

Reasonable lighting, stable water conditions, nutrients, and proper rhizome placement are much more important starting points.

🧪 Does Anubias Need Fertilizer?

Anubias is not among the most nutrient-hungry aquarium plants, but it still needs nutrients to create healthy new growth.

Because it can obtain nutrients from the water column, a balanced liquid fertilizer may be useful in planted aquariums where nutrients are limited.

Avoid assuming that more fertilizer automatically produces faster growth.

Anubias naturally grows slowly.

If the tank already receives nutrients from fish food, livestock waste, water changes, and other sources, its needs may be modest.

The goal is balanced plant nutrition—not forcing Anubias to behave like a fast-growing stem plant.

🌿 Does Anubias Need Substrate?

No.

This is one of Anubias barteri’s biggest advantages.

You can grow it in tanks with:

  • Sand
  • Gravel
  • Aquasoil
  • Bare bottoms
  • Decorative stone
  • Hardscape-only areas

As long as the rhizome has somewhere suitable to rest or attach, the plant does not depend on a particular substrate.

This flexibility makes Anubias especially useful in aquariums where traditional rooted plants are inconvenient.

🪵 Best Tank Placement for Anubias Barteri

Standard Anubias barteri works particularly well as a midground plant or as greenery attached to prominent pieces of hardscape.

Try placing it:

  • Along driftwood branches
  • At the base of large rocks
  • Inside rock crevices
  • Beneath taller plants
  • Around cave entrances
  • Along shaded areas of an aquascape
  • Around the transition between foreground and background plants

Its broad leaves provide strong visual contrast beside delicate stem plants, grasses, and mosses.

Larger forms can become substantial focal plants, while smaller Anubias forms are excellent for compact aquascapes.

🎨 Aquascaping With Anubias

Anubias is especially useful when you want greenery to appear as though it is naturally growing from stone or wood.

Instead of arranging individual plants in straight rows, try attaching several Anubias plants at different heights along one large piece of driftwood.

The plants will gradually soften the hard edges of the wood.

Anubias also pairs beautifully with another rhizomatous aquarium favorite: Java fern.

Read our Java Fern Care Tips and Benefits for Your Aquarium for another easy plant that can be attached to aquarium hardscape.

🐟 Is Anubias Barteri Good for Fish Tanks?

Yes.

Its tough foliage and simple care requirements make Anubias suitable for many freshwater aquarium setups.

Broad leaves and dense growth can add structure to the aquarium and provide sheltered spaces around hardscape.

Its durable foliage can also make it a useful option in tanks containing fish that tend to disturb softer plants, although no aquarium plant is completely immune to damage from determined fish.

Before selecting plants, always prioritize the environmental needs of the fish, shrimp, snails, or other animals sharing the tank.

🦐 Is Anubias Good for Shrimp Tanks?

Anubias can work beautifully in freshwater shrimp aquariums.

Its leaves, roots, and surrounding hardscape create additional surface area where biofilm and microorganisms can develop.

Shrimp can often be seen grazing across the leaves.

Because Anubias can grow without nutrient-rich substrate or injected CO₂, it also fits naturally into many simple shrimp-focused setups.

If you keep Neocaridina, see our Cherry Shrimp Care Guide for more help planning their aquarium.

🌱 How to Propagate Anubias Barteri

Propagation is straightforward.

Anubias barteri is most commonly propagated through rhizome division.

Wait until the plant has developed a healthy, established rhizome with multiple leaves.

Then:

  1. Remove or gently reposition the plant so you can see the rhizome.
  2. Identify a healthy section containing several leaves and roots.
  3. Use clean, sharp scissors or a blade to cut through the rhizome.
  4. Make sure each divided section retains healthy growth.
  5. Attach the new section to rock, wood, or another suitable surface.
  6. Keep the rhizome exposed.

You now have two independent plants.

Do not divide a tiny or struggling Anubias simply to create more plants. Allow it to become established first.

🌼 Does Anubias Barteri Flower?

Yes.

Anubias belongs to the aroid family, Araceae, and can produce characteristic flowers consisting of a spadix surrounded by a spathe.

Aquarium-grown Anubias can occasionally flower underwater.

A flower does not mean anything is wrong with the plant, nor does flowering need to occur for normal propagation.

In aquariums, dividing the rhizome remains the simplest way to produce additional plants.

🍃 Why Is My Anubias Turning Yellow?

Yellow leaves can have several causes.

Start by looking at the entire plant rather than assuming one specific nutrient deficiency.

Possible factors include:

  • An aging individual leaf
  • Stress after moving the plant
  • Damaged roots or rhizome
  • Nutrient imbalance
  • Poor overall aquarium conditions
  • Rhizome decay caused by incorrect planting

If just one old leaf is yellowing while new growth looks healthy, removing the aging leaf may be all that is necessary.

If multiple leaves deteriorate rapidly, inspect the rhizome and review your aquarium conditions.

🤎 Why Is My Anubias Turning Brown?

Brown coloration may result from damaged or dying plant tissue, but what appears to be a “brown leaf” can also be algae growing over the leaf surface.

Inspect the plant closely.

If the leaf underneath is firm and healthy but covered in a brown or green film, algae is likely involved.

If the actual plant tissue is soft, translucent, or disintegrating, investigate rhizome health, water conditions, recent changes, and physical damage.

Avoid diagnosing aquarium plant problems by color alone.

🦠 Anubias Rhizome Rot

A deteriorating rhizome is more serious than losing an individual leaf.

Warning signs may include:

  • Soft rhizome tissue
  • Darkened or mushy sections
  • Leaves detaching easily
  • Rapid decline across multiple leaves

If only part of a long rhizome is affected, healthy tissue may sometimes be separated from the deteriorating portion with a clean cut.

Prevention is better.

The most important step is simple:

Keep the rhizome exposed rather than burying it beneath the substrate.

🟢 Algae on Anubias Leaves

Anubias and algae often meet for one simple reason: Anubias leaves grow slowly and remain in the aquarium for a long time.

That gives algae plenty of time to colonize them when aquarium conditions favor algae growth.

To reduce the problem:

  • Avoid unnecessarily intense lighting
  • Keep the aquarium maintained
  • Remove badly affected old leaves when appropriate
  • Keep nutrients reasonably balanced
  • Avoid long periods of excessive illumination
  • Consider positioning Anubias beneath taller plants or hardscape

Do not expect Anubias itself to solve an existing algae problem.

Algae usually reflects the broader balance of the aquarium.

🌱 Anubias Barteri vs. Anubias Nana

Aquarium stores offer many plants under the Anubias name.

One of the most familiar is Anubias nana, commonly sold under the aquarium-trade name Anubias barteri var. nana.

Compared with standard Anubias barteri, nana forms are generally more compact and are popular for smaller aquariums and foreground-to-midground hardscape.

Standard barteri tends to produce larger leaves and a more substantial presence.

Both share the basic Anubias care strategy:

low-to-moderate light, slow growth, exposed rhizome, and attachment to hardscape.

🌿 Popular Anubias Barteri Forms

Aquarists may encounter a number of Anubias forms and cultivars in stores, including names such as:

  • Anubias barteri
  • Anubias nana
  • Anubias nana ‘Petite’
  • Anubias ‘Coffeifolia’
  • Anubias ‘Caladiifolia’
  • Anubias ‘Coin Leaf’
  • Anubias glabra forms

Plant names used in the aquarium trade do not always correspond neatly with current botanical taxonomic treatment, so labels can vary among nurseries and sellers.

For practical aquarium care, focus on the plant’s eventual size and growth form as well as its name.

⚠️ Common Anubias Barteri Mistakes

Anubias is hardy, but a few mistakes can make an easy plant unnecessarily difficult.

Burying the Rhizome

This is the big one.

Roots may enter the substrate. The rhizome should stay exposed.

Giving It Excessive Light

Anubias does not require intense lighting, and bright conditions can encourage algae on its slow-growing leaves.

Expecting Fast Growth

A healthy Anubias may still grow slowly.

Slow does not automatically mean unhealthy.

Constantly Moving the Plant

Once Anubias is attached to a good piece of hardscape, give it time to establish.

Overreacting to One Old Leaf

Individual leaves eventually age.

Look at new growth and the health of the rhizome before assuming the entire plant has a problem.

⭐ Is Anubias Barteri Good for Beginners?

Absolutely.

Few aquarium plants combine so many beginner-friendly traits.

Anubias barteri:

  • Handles low light
  • Does not require injected CO₂
  • Does not require specialized substrate
  • Needs little pruning
  • Grows well on rocks and driftwood
  • Fits many aquascaping styles
  • Can be propagated easily
  • Grows slowly and predictably

The biggest learning curve is simply understanding the rhizome.

Once you know not to bury it, Anubias becomes one of the most straightforward plants available to freshwater aquarists.

❓ Anubias Barteri FAQ

Can Anubias barteri grow without CO₂?

Yes. Supplemental CO₂ is not required for ordinary Anubias barteri care.

Can you bury Anubias roots?

The fine roots can extend into gravel, sand, or aquasoil, but the thick rhizome should remain exposed.

Does Anubias need high light?

No. Anubias barteri is well suited to low-light conditions and generally does not need intense aquarium lighting.

Does Anubias need aquasoil?

No. It can be attached directly to rocks, driftwood, or aquarium décor and does not require nutrient-rich substrate.

Why is my Anubias not growing?

Slow growth is normal. Look for healthy new leaves and a firm rhizome rather than judging the plant solely by how quickly it increases in size.

Can Anubias grow on driftwood?

Yes. Driftwood is one of the best places to grow Anubias.

How do you propagate Anubias?

Divide a mature, healthy rhizome into sections, ensuring the new pieces retain healthy leaves and roots, then attach them separately to hardscape.

Can Anubias flower underwater?

Yes, Anubias can produce its distinctive aroid flowers while growing submerged.

💚 A Hardy Classic for Planted Aquariums

Anubias barteri does not grow quickly, demand elaborate equipment, or transform a tank overnight.

That is exactly why it is so useful.

Its broad green leaves bring lasting structure to an aquascape, while its ability to grow attached to stone and wood opens creative possibilities that substrate-rooted plants cannot always provide.

Give it gentle to moderate lighting, keep the rhizome exposed, maintain stable aquarium conditions, and allow it time to grow.

For beginners building their first planted tank and experienced aquascapers looking for dependable greenery alike, Anubias barteri remains one of the aquarium hobby’s most useful plants.

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