Plant Profile
If your tank boasts an unruly crowd of plant-chomping cichlids or energetic bottom-dwellers, Anubias Nana Thick Leaf is built to survive the chaos! This dwarf variation takes the classic charm of Anubias Nana and equips it with extra-dense, leathery, rounded leaves with subtly rippled edges. Standing at a neat 1.5 to 4 inches tall, this micro-heavyweight is the foreground accent for bare-bottom tanks, rocky African cichlid scapes, and lush planted aquariums alike. Indestructible, forgiving, and wildly versatile, it thrives whether submerged underwater or emersed in high-humidity paludarium setups.
Key Features & Benefits
- Extra-thick, waxy leaves provide maximum durability, standing up to active, aggressive, or plant-nibbling tank mates.
- Compact dwarf footprint with rounded, wavy foliage makes it an ideal scale-building foreground accent.
- Extremely adaptable and forgiving across an incredibly wide pH range.
Care & Planting Instructions
- Prep the plant by removing it from the pot and clearing all rockwool from the roots.
- Attach to hardscape using aquarium‑safe glue or thread; keep the rhizome above substrate to prevent rot.
- Maintain stable conditions to support smooth acclimation and reduce leaf loss.
- Avoid intense light and ensure good water flow to prevent spot algae on slow‑growing leaves.
- CO₂ is optional but improves growth and leaf density.
- Learn more about planting these species by reading our guide on How to Plant Epiphyte Aquatic Plants.
- Master long-term care and propagation with the article All About Anubias Aquarium Plants.
Quick Facts
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth!
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anubias barteri var. nana |
| Common Name(s) | Anubias Nana Thick Leaf |
| Family | Araceae |
| Plant Type / Taxonomy | Epiphyte (Rhizome) |
| Care Difficulty | Easy / Beginner-Friendly |
| Light Requirement | Low |
| CO2 Requirement | Not Required but Beneficial |
| Placement / Usage | Foreground, Nano Hardscape, Midground Crevices |
| Height / Size | 1.5-4 inches |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Water Parameters | pH 6.0 – 7.5 | Temperature 68°F – 82°F (20°C – 28°C) |
| Propagation Method | Separate by Rhizome Division |
| Origin | West Africa |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I plant Anubias Nana Thick Leaf?
Attach the plant directly to driftwood or rocks using aquarium-safe super glue gel, thread, or fishing line. Keep the rhizome above the substrate to prevent rot.
2. Does it require CO2 or high lighting?
No. It thrives in low lighting without CO2 injection. While adding CO2 speeds up growth, it is completely optional.
3. Is this plant safe for shrimp, snails, and fish?
Yes, Anubias is 100% safe for all freshwater fish, shrimp (including sensitive Caridina and Neocaridina), and snails. Its tough leaves are also resistant to plant-eating fish like cichlids or goldfish.
Overall rating: 4.7380953 / 5 from 84 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
Anubias Nana Thick Leaf is a hardy plant with thick, dark green, rounded wavy leaves. It is highly praised for its quality, looks, and healthy leaves, making it a popular choice for both beginner and experienced aquarists. This plant thrives in a variety of environments and can be grown submersed or emersed.
Summary topics
- Plant Size (19%): Based on many customers, the general consensus is that the size of the plant is perfect or great.
- Anubias Plant Quality (10%): Customers keep praising the Anubias Nana for its thick leaves and lush plantiness.
- Leaf Health (13%): Customers keep praising the thick and healthy leaves of these anubias, making them a top choice.
- Aesthetic Appeal (17%): A significant number of customers brought up that the plant looks great and amazing in their tanks.
- Overall Plant Quality (8%): Customers expressed satisfaction with the good quality of the plants, which was mentioned in multiple reviews.
Review topics: [size, color, shipping, packaged, quality, looks, plants, leaves, roots, anubias, specimen, order, melt, leaf, addition, pot, difference, tank, filled].
Review highlights
- "Plant looked great, had great roots, color was vibrant and was decent size." —
- "Good size, very green and healthy leaves and clean roots." —
- "Good quality plants and fast service." —
Reviews
Nice leaves and size
"Came in great shape and seems to ne acclimating well in a new tank. This will be used as a centerpiece resting spot in a shallow betta tank."
Plant was a nice size
"Plant was a nice size . Leaf was beautiful and had plenty of leaves"
cute size, very vibrant green
"cute size, very vibrant green color! looks amazing on my driftwood"
Just great
"1st time adding to a tank, and very happy I did."
Perfect
"Overall very pretty and healthy. Each pot had two plants in it. The rhyme zone had a nice cluster of leafs!"
Anubias Nana. . . Durable?
"7-8 nodes on one stem. Healthy, inch long roots. 2 stems came in each potted package. Each individual stem with leaves is probably equivalent to about half of a baseball. I also think they should call this plant Anubias Nana Durable because my first scaping sesh was fun, but I didn't have very great gentleness with rocks and such falling with plants on them. . . Either way. Buy this plant, and buy it from BP."
"Arrived in okay condition did an alum dip for a few hours no snails. Leaves had lots of rips in them its color is good verry few dead leaves on arrival it has melted a litte but since ive planted it its lost alot of leaves down to just 2 leaves now hoping it will come back would still definitely buy again"
Anubias Nana Thick Leaf
"The shipping was fast and the plant came in great shape. Very green and beautiful!"
Good condition
"A little small, but came in good condition"
Good Bet.
"This is the second time I've ordered this plant. It thrived in the aquarium I made for my friend, so I thought I'd put it in my 12-gal rescape. The plant is good-sized and looks so sturdy."