Anubias is a popular and durable genus of aquatic plants, favored by both beginner and experienced aquarium enthusiasts for its hardiness and ability to thrive in low-light conditions. Native to the rivers and streams of West Africa, these plants bring a lush, dark green aesthetic to any underwater environment. Their slow growth rate and resilience across a broad range of water parameters make them adaptable additions to nearly any freshwater setup.
Understanding Anubias Growth Structure
Anubias can grow in gravel, but the plant’s unique structure dictates how it must be placed. Anubias is an epiphytic plant, meaning it primarily grows attached to surfaces like rocks or driftwood, rather than rooted deeply in soil. This growth habit is determined by the plant’s thick, horizontal stem, known as the rhizome, from which both the leaves and the roots emerge.
The roots serve mainly as an anchor, not as the primary means of nutrient absorption. Since the plant absorbs most of its nutrients directly from the surrounding water column, the type of substrate—gravel, sand, or nutrient-rich soil—is irrelevant to its health. The plant’s roots will naturally extend into the gravel over time, helping to stabilize it, but the method of planting must respect the structure of the rhizome to prevent rot.
Proper Anchoring Techniques
The rhizome must never be buried beneath the substrate. If the thick, horizontal rhizome is covered by gravel or any other material, it will eventually rot due to a lack of oxygen and the plant will die. To secure Anubias in an aquarium, you must anchor it so the rhizome remains fully exposed to the water column.
Anchoring Methods
A common and effective method is to attach the plant to a piece of hardscape, such as driftwood or porous rock. Techniques include:
- Using cyanoacrylate-based super glue gel. The glue forms an acrylic bond that holds the plant firmly until its roots naturally secure themselves to the surface.
- Using thin cotton thread or fishing line to loosely tie the rhizome to the hardscape, which can be removed once the plant is established.
- Gently pushing only the fine, white roots into the substrate, allowing the rhizome to rest directly on top of the gravel bed.
- Wedging the plant’s roots and rhizome into a small crevice or gap between two rocks or pieces of decoration. This keeps the vulnerable rhizome exposed to ensure proper water flow and oxygenation.
Essential Environmental Requirements
Since the substrate is not the source of nutrition, the plant’s health relies on controlling external factors in the water column. Anubias thrives under low to moderate lighting conditions, which simulates its natural environment in shaded riverbanks. Providing too much light intensity can cause algae to grow on its slow-growing, leathery leaves, restricting the plant’s ability to photosynthesize. A photoperiod of eight to ten hours a day is sufficient to support healthy growth without excessive algae proliferation.
The plant benefits from good water circulation, as this ensures a continuous supply of dissolved nutrients over its leaves and rhizome. Anubias is a tropical plant, and it prefers a water temperature range of 72°F to 82°F, which is standard for most community aquariums.
For nutrient supply, Anubias requires liquid fertilizers, as it absorbs most of its minerals through its leaves from the water column. A comprehensive liquid fertilizer that includes both macro and micronutrients will promote stronger growth. Since the roots are mainly for anchoring, root tabs placed in the gravel are ineffective for this plant, as they deliver nutrients to the substrate rather than the water column where the plant feeds.