If you have a knack for gardening, you might have heard of the Anubias nana plant.
This intricate-sounding plant thrived in fresh water and was first discovered in 1899.
Over the years, as the trend of personal ponds and aquariums has increased, the demand for Anubias nana has skyrocketed.
Planting freshwater plants such as the Anubias nana can be daunting. But do not worry; with our guide, you’ll know how to plant Anubias nana in just three steps!
By the time you end up reading this article, you will have all the necessary information to plant your own Anubias nana.
So, let’s get plating!
Things Needed to Plant the Anubias Nana
To plant the Anubias nana plant, you won’t require a lot of equipment.
However, checking in on your gardening inventory before beginning any planting process is a good practice.
Please look at the list below to counter-check the items you would need so that you can learn how to plant Anubias nana in our three steps.
- Gardening scissors
- Gardening gloves
- Fertilizer
- Gas infuser
- Driftwood
- Fishing wire
- Super glue
That aside, let’s see how to plant Anubias nana.
How to Plant Anubias Nana? | The Steps!
Following are the three steps on how to plant Anubias nana.
Step 1: Propagate Your Anubias Nana
It’s no rocket science that you cannot sow seeds into water.
To grow an Anubias nana plant, you must propagate it first.
Doing so is an effortless task; you would need to cut the rhizome of an adult Anubias nana plant. Do not fret over the name; the rhizome is just the plant’s stem.
We recommend that you cut the part that has plenty of leaves shooting out of it.
It will ensure that the newly propagated rhizome is healthy and can support new growth.
Step 2: Placement of the Anubias Nana Plant
It is the most crucial step in learning how to plant Anubias nana, as the health and growth of your plant depend on how you place it in the tank.
- To start the placement process, decide the location of your plant on the driftwood.
- Once you have done that, it’s time to tie the plant’s roots to the driftwood.
- You can use a drop of superglue or fishing wire to tie the roots to the surface of the driftwood.
- If you are starting your journey with water plants, we recommend sticking to the super glue method. Over time the roots will grow to support the plant in the new location.
- We recommend keeping a distance of two to three inches between each plant.
Remember that you should completely submerge the plant in water; hence remember to fill in the tank before embarking on the plating journey.
Step 3: Check Water Conditions
Since the Anubias nana is a water-based plant, it derives its nutrients from the water rather than the soil.
Dirty water will make it difficult for the newly planted plant to breathe and can result in its death.
The water nutrient levels can be increased in two ways; carbon dioxide and fertilizer. Carbon dioxide can be increased using a gas infuser.
You can choose the method that fits your needs; however, since mixing fertilizer in water is easier than working with an infuser, we recommend it, especially for beginners.
There you have it!
You just learned how to plant Anubias nana.
Things Affecting the Growth of the Anubias Nana Plant!
The Anubias nana is a relatively slow-growing plant, so do worry if you do not see leaves sprouting out in a few weeks. Regardless of the growth rate, specific characteristics directly affect the overall growth and health of the plant.
Take a look below to learn about each so that you become a master in growing the Anubias nana plant.
The Amount of Light
In terms of lighting, the Anubias nana plant is low maintenance.
To begin with, it does not require a lot of light, making it a perfect choice for indoor aquariums. You can rely on the light through your windows to support the plant’s growth.
On the other hand, if you live in a location where you do not have windows and sunlight, you can invest in a small LED lamp to mimic the lighting; it will get the job done.
Algae in Water Body
Let’s get this straight; algae love to thrive on Anubias nana.
While it can be good for algae, it is certainly not suitable for the plant.
You can do a few things to stop algae from stealing the nutrients of your plant.
The first is to limit the lighting to your water body. You can do this simply by placing your aquarium in the shade. The second thing is to change the water your plant is in frequently. We recommend changing the water at least once a week.
Other Animals in the Tank
If you want to grow the Anubias nana plant in a fish tank, then be aware!
Fish can affect the growth of the Anubias plant by feeding on it.
To avoid this problem, we recommend that you grow the plant in a separate tank and then transfer the fish once the plant has considerably grown.
It will ensure the beautification of your fish’s home without hindering the formative growth stage of your Anubias nana plant.
The Temperature of the Waterbody
In general, the Anubias nana plant is resilient; however, it thrives best in a temperature of 71–82°F.
The water can maintain this temperature without you having to worry much about it. However, if you live in a harsh climate, you can use a temperature regulator.
The pH Level of Water
Talking about pH level may sound boring but bear with us because this is important.
The pH levels determine how your plant can perform its primary respiratory function in water.
Ideally, for the Anubias nana plant, the pH should lie between 6.5–7, which is slightly acidic. Since most tap water already lies within the range, you do not have to worry too much about it.
However, if the water in your region is basic in composition, you should invest in a pH regulator.
The Size of the Tank or the Water Body
Although the rate of growth of the Anubias nana is slow, it will eventually grow into a medium size plant.
Aim for a tank or aquarium sized at least 10–11 gallons to avoid the hassle of transferring the plant in the future.
You can easily get these either online or from your local fish shop.
That would be all!
Since you came this far, here’s a video for your help as well:
Now, let’s head toward the conclusion.
Conclusion!
We have to agree on the fact that water plants are simply magical.
They not only increase the aesthetic value of your tanks and aquariums but also play an essential role in maintaining the health of your tanks.
Dealing with plants is a challenging yet rewarding hobby.
Since the nature of water plants is different from soil plants, plating them can be overwhelming.
Our guide on how to plant Anubias nana will immensely help you in the task. So, get up to plant some Anubias nana now.
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Regards!