Anubias barteri var. barteri

Anubias barteri var. barteri key facts

Growing Difficulty

Beginner-friendly

Lifespan

Perennial; leaves last for years and plants can be kept indefinitely by dividing the rhizome

Size

20–40 cm tall (in aquaria)

Temperature

22〜26℃

Watering

Grows without CO2 or fertiliser; additions speed up growth

Lighting

Grows well in low light. Strong light encourages algae on the long-lived leaves, so place it in the shade of larger plants or wood.

CO2 & Fertilizer

Grows without CO2; CO2 and fertiliser make it grow faster and larger.

Water Temperature & Quality

Optimum 22–26°C. Hardness and pH matter little (grows at pH 5–8). Good water flow helps keep algae off the leaves.

Substrate & Attachment

The rhizome rots easily if buried. Tie it to driftwood or stone with fishing line, or plant it with the rhizome resting on top of the substrate.

Trimming & Propagation

Slow-growing. Propagate by cutting the rhizome, ideally at points with side shoots.

Cautions

Grows large, so it suits the mid- or background. Never release plants into the wild; drain and bin unwanted material.

About Anubias barteri var. barteri

Anubias barteri var. barteri is a hardy aquatic plant with thick, leathery leaves that thrives even in low light, making it great for beginners. It reaches 20 to 40 cm and can be propagated by dividing the rhizome for long-term enjoyment.

7 things to know before growing Anubias barteri var. barteri

1. 1Low Light Is Fine

   This plant grows well without strong lighting. Keep it out of direct sunlight — it does fine even shaded by taller plants nearby.

2. 2Attach to Driftwood or Rock

   Rather than planting it in substrate, it does best tied to driftwood or rock with thread or line until it attaches on its own. Burying the rhizome in substrate can cause it to rot, so avoid covering it.

3. 3Not Fussy About Substrate

   When grown attached to hardscape, it doesn't need any particular substrate. If planted in substrate instead, keep the rhizome resting on top rather than buried.

4. 4Propagate by Dividing the Rhizome

   Once the rhizome has grown long and the leaves become crowded, you can divide it into sections with a knife. Make sure each piece keeps some roots and a few leaves so it can attach and establish easily.

5. 5Avoid Sudden Temperature Swings

   This plant dislikes large swings in water temperature, so keeping it stable with a heater during seasonal changes matters. It tolerates cooler water to some degree, but extreme cold can weaken its growth.

6. 6Identify It by Leaf Stalk Length

   Even as a young plant, barteri is recognizable by its noticeably long leaf stalks, which set it apart from varieties like Nana. Choose a plant with undamaged, unblemished leaves and a firm, healthy rhizome.

7. 7Slow, Steady Growth

   Compared to many other aquatic plants, it grows slowly, which means less upkeep and makes it easy for beginners to manage. Thanks to its larger mature size, it works well as an accent in the mid- to background of a layout.

Frequently asked questions about Anubias barteri var. barteri

Q.Can it grow without being planted in substrate?

A.Yes, attaching it to driftwood or rock is the standard way to grow it. Burying the rhizome in substrate tends to cause rot, so attaching it or resting it lightly on top works better.

Q.How is it different from Anubias Nana?

A.Barteri grows larger than Nana and can be told apart even as a young plant by its longer leaf stalks. Both belong to the same Anubias group, but their mature size differs.

Q.Why do the leaves sometimes turn brown or look damaged?

A.Older leaves can sometimes look damaged after transplanting or when water conditions change suddenly, but this isn't a major concern as long as new leaves keep unfolding. Trim off the damaged leaves and keep conditions stable to help it recover.

Q.Is it easy for beginners to grow?

A.Yes, it adapts well to varying light and water conditions and is considered a beginner-friendly plant. It grows well even under low lighting, making it an easy species to start with.

Q.How large does it grow?

A.In an aquarium it typically reaches around 20 to 40 cm in height. Since it grows larger than Nana, it suits mid- to background placement.

Handy Growing Tools for Anubias barteri var. barteri

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