The Secret to Growing Lush Anubias Plants in Your Aquarium Substrate

Discover the easy way to plant beautiful, low-maintenance anubias in your aquarium gravel or substrate. This comprehensive guide covers proper planting depth, spacing, tips to prevent rotting, and more for vibrant, healthy anubias.

How Do You Plant Anubias In Substrate?

Anubias are a popular freshwater aquarium plant prized for their broad, gently curving leaves and undemanding growth habits. These hardy, low-light plants can thrive when anchored to driftwood or rocks, but did you know they can also be planted directly into substrates?

While their roots prefer open water, you can cultivate lush patches of anubias in tank gravel with the right planting techniques. This prevents specimens from working loose and creates beautiful mixed-height arrangements.

By following a few simple guidelines, you’ll discover how to plant anubias of all varieties for stability and optimal growth. Let’s get started!

Choosing Healthy Anubias for Planting

Before introducing anubias to tank substrates, it’s essential to select robust, healthy specimens with well-established root structures. Look for plants with:

• Multiple leaves longer than 2 inches (5 cm)
• Intact rhizomes free of soft or mushy spots
• Several thick white roots at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) long
• No signs of disease, snails, or algae overgrowth

Avoid planting anubias with yellowing leaves, shedding, or rotting at the base. These issues signal distress and likely won’t recover when buried in substrate. It’s best to remedy growing problems before uprooting from previous homes.

Selecting a Suitable Substrate

While most aquarium gravel works well for planting anubias, finer substrates provide better stability. The plants won’t uproot as easily compared to coarser pebbles or rocks. Excellent options include:

• Fine gravel under 1⁄8 inch (0.3 cm) diameter
• Crushed coral or aragonite sand
• Natural substrates like ADA Aqua SoilTM
• Aquarium soil with nutritive properties

Avoid marble chips, large pebbles over 1⁄4 inch, and sharp substrates that could damage tender anubias roots.

Step-By-Step Planting Guide

Follow these simple steps for easily incorporating anubias into tank substrates without complications:

Fill Chosen Substrate Evenly

Before placing any plants, use a tank spatula to distribute substrate evenly across the tank bottom. Slope gently from back to front without excessively high dunes that could undermine planting depth.

Make Shallow Planting Trenches

Use a ruler to lightly press 1-2 inch (2.5-5 cm) long, 1⁄2 inch (1.25 cm) deep trenches into the substrate wherever you wish to locate anubias. Space trenches 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) apart.

Prepare Anubias for Planting

Thoroughly rinse roots under lukewarm water to remove residue without damaging tender new offshoots. Use sterile scissors to trim any blackened, mushy roots back to healthy white tissue.

Plant Anubias with Rhizomes Above Substrate

Place each specimen into prepared trenches with at least 1⁄2 inch (1.25 cm) clearance below the lowest leaf. Never bury rhizomes in substrate—this causes rotting.

Stabilize with Pebbles

Once positioned in trenches, arrange a few pebbles tightly around roots to prevent accidental dislodging. Avoid fully covering roots with excessive stabilizers.

Maintain Consistent Water Parameters

Test water weekly and perform 10-15% water changes to maintain 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, <20 nitrates. Anubias flourish best at 6.5-7.5 pH in 72-82° F water.

Planting Depth Guidelines

Follow these substrate depth rules when planting various anubias:

• Anubias barteri varieties: – 1⁄2 inch (1.25 cm) minimum under the rhizome – 2 inches (5 cm) maximum under the lowest leaf
• Anubias nana: – 1⁄4 inch (0.6 cm) minimum under rhizome – 1 1⁄2 inches (4 cm) maximum depth for smallest leaves
• Anubias gracilis: – 1⁄2 inch (1.25 cm) minimum under rhizome – 1 1⁄2 inches (4 cm) maximum depth

Spacing for Optimal Growth Allow the following minimum space between planted anubias specimens:

• Anubias barteri — 6 inches (15 cm)
• Anubias nana — 4 inches (10 cm
• Anubias gracilis — 5 inches (12 cm)

Crowding plants too closely increases competition for nutrients and light, resulting in poor development.

Tips to Prevent Transplanted Anubias From Rotting

While anubias readily tolerate low to moderate light, standing water is still essential for healthy roots and rhizomes. Prevent decay after transplanting using these methods:

• Allow 3-4 weeks to establish root structures before burying any portion of rhizomes. Always keep the horizontal rhizome above substrate level.
• Provide bright supplemental lighting 12-14 hours daily. Floating plant lights work well, positioned close to newly planted anubias.
• Use liquid fertilizer supplements with iron, potassium, and micronutrients per package instructions. This quickly replenishes any resources lost during uprooting.
• Increase water circulation using spray bars or powerheads directed toward newly planted specimens. This prevents particles from accumulating on leaves and increases root access to free-flowing nutrients.

Table 1. Common Anubias Species and Varieties for Aquarium Planting

FAQs

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about planting anubias in aquarium substrates:

Should anubias rhizomes be above or below the substrate?

Anubias rhizomes and roots are sensitive to rot and should always rest above tank substrates. Never bury horizontal rhizomes—leave 100% exposed.

How often should I fertilize planted anubias?

Apply liquid rhizome fertilizers every 2-3 weeks and root tabs every 3-4 months. This provides essential nutrients like iron that root-fed plants can’t get from water alone.

Why are some of my transplanted anubias leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing typically indicates iron, nitrogen, or micronutrient deficiencies. Confirm lights are bright enough, use supplements, and conduct regular water testing to rule out environmental factors. Remove any leaves that die back to spur new growth.

How long should I wait to transplant newly purchased anubias?

Allow at least 2 weeks for acclimation in similar water parameters before uprooting new plants. Transplant directly into the substrate if roots are already 2+ inches long. Otherwise, attach to hardscape temporarily to encourage substantial root establishment.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of planting anubias opens up new aquascape possibilities without requiring advanced cultivation methods. Even beginners can achieve lush subaqueous gardens using these straightforward planting techniques.

Within a few weeks, your tanks will overflow with vibrant emerald foliage. Just remember to anchor rhizomes safely above substrate, fertilize regularly, and allow enough space for unhindered maturation.

Soon you’ll see why anubias earned their reputation as adaptable low-light aquatic plants suitable for aquarists at every level. So transform those tank substrates into anchors for stability, growth, and brilliant aquatic greenscapes.