Anubias Nana

Plant Profile

Common Name: Anubias Nana

If aquatic plants had a Hall of Fame, Anubias Nana would be sitting comfortably on the top shelf. Native to the riverbanks of West Africa, "nana" actually translates to "dwarf" in Latin, and true to its name, this compact icon stays much smaller and tidier than its big sibling Anubias Barteri. Featuring small, glossy, tear-drop shaped leaves on short stems, it tops out at a manageable 3 to 5 inches tall. It acts as the ultimate aquatic filler for tucking into driftwood nooks, securing onto lava rock, or brightening up nano aquariums. Virtually indestructible, ridiculously forgiving, and comfortable growing submerged in water or emersed in humid terrariums, it is hands-down the best "gateway plant" for anyone dipping their toes into the hobby for the first time.

Key Features & Benefits

• Compact dwarf leaf structure creates a timeless, lush green accent perfect for nano tanks and hardscape gap-filling.
• Incredibly adaptable and beginner-friendly, effortlessly surviving a wide variety of water parameters and low-tech conditions.
• Famous for its tough, leathery foliage that naturally resists grazing from curious fish, snails, and energetic dwarf shrimp.

Care & Planting Instructions

• Carefully remove the plant from its pot and clear away all rockwool from the roots. For a deep dive on prepping potted plants, click here.
  
• Secure the plant directly to your chosen hardscape elements using aquarium-safe glue or thread. Avoid burying the thick horizontal stem in gravel or soil because restricting water flow around the rhizome will cause the plant to melt, rot, and die.
• Maintain stable water parameters and avoid sudden environmental shifts to ensure your new greenery acclimates smoothly without shedding leaves.
• Position the plant away from intense, direct light and ensure healthy water flow to prevent slow-growing leaves from collecting unwanted spot algae.
• Provide low to moderate lighting and optional carbon dioxide injection to achieve faster growth and more robust leaves, though it will happily thrive without high-tech setups.
• Read more on securing and styling these plants in your layout by reading our step-by-step guide on How to Plant Epiphyte Aquatic Plants.
• Master the long-term care and propagation of this unique genus in the comprehensive 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!

• Family Name: Araceae
• Origin: West Africa
• Height: 3-5”
• pH: 6-7.5
• Care: Easy
• Light: Low
• Co2: Not necessary
• Propagation: Separate by rhizome
• Growth rate: Slow to moderate