Care Guide

Anubias nana petite

Anubias Barteri Var Nana Petite

Beginner difficultyBackorder

Care at a Glance

Lighting

Low - Medium

Growth Rate

Slow

Growth Form

Spreading rhizome

Placement

Foreground

True Aquatic

Yes

Available As

Bare root or potted

About This Plant

Anubias barteri var. 'nana petite' is a relatively new addition to the aquarium plant trade. Anubias nana petite is a minute variety of Anubias barteri var. 'nana' that can be used in the smallest of places and is an excellent foreground plant. Anubias nana petite attaches to wood or rocks just like the other types of Anubias but is much smaller. The growth is also slower, and remains very compact, with tight clusters of leaves on short petioles (stems) This is a great aquarium plant for nano set ups or in areas of larger tanks where a smaller plant is desired. Anubias nana petite is a great aquarium plant with many uses. The rhizome must be kept above the substrate surface or it can rot. Only the white roots should be buried.

About the Anubias Genus

Family — Araceae

Anubias is a genus of slow-growing rhizome plants prized in the planted-tank hobby for being nearly indestructible. They attach to driftwood and rock rather than rooting in substrate, tolerate low light, and rarely need CO2, which makes them a staple for low-tech tanks, cichlid setups, and beginner aquascapes.

Quick-Reference Details

Common name: Anubias nana petite
Scientific name: Anubias Barteri Var Nana Petite
Family: Araceae
Native to: West Africa
Difficulty: Beginner
Requirements: Easy, beginner plant
Lighting: Low - Medium
Growth rate: Slow
Growth form: Spreading rhizome
Placement: Foreground
True aquatic: Yes
Available as: Bare root or potted

Difficulty — Beginner

Tolerates a wide range of conditions and forgives setup mistakes. Thrives even in low-light tanks.

CO2 & Fertilization

CO2 is not required. This plant performs well in low-tech tanks with only basic liquid fertilization.

Tank Size & Setup

Suits tanks of any size. Foreground carpeting plants work especially well in 10-40 gallon planted setups where the viewer is close to the substrate.

Aquascaping & Placement

Use as a foreground carpeting plant. Plant small portions on 2-3 cm centers and let runners fill the gaps over 4-8 weeks. The rhizome is the green horizontal stem. Attach it to driftwood, lava rock, or stone with cotton thread or super-glue gel — burying the rhizome causes rot.

Tank-Mate Compatibility

Compatible with the full range of community-tank species — tetras, rasboras, livebearers, corydoras, and most other peaceful freshwater fish do not damage the foliage. Tough enough for cichlid tanks and goldfish setups where most other plants are uprooted or eaten — the leaves are too leathery for those fish to chew through.

Pro Tips for Growing Anubias nana petite

1Never bury the green rhizome — only the white roots should touch substrate, or the rhizome rots.
2Attach to driftwood or stone with cotton thread, super glue gel, or a rubber band until the roots grip.
3Wipe leaves gently to remove dust algae — Anubias leaves are tough enough to handle physical cleaning.

Common Care Issues

Rhizome rot

The rhizome (the thick horizontal stem) must stay above the substrate. Buried rhizomes turn black and mushy within a few weeks. Tie the plant to hardscape or wedge it between rocks instead.

Pale or stretched leaves

If new growth comes in pale yellow or the stems stretch unusually long, the plant is reaching for more light. Either raise the fixture's intensity or add a richer fertilizer.

Algae on old leaves

Slow growers accumulate dust and spot algae on older leaves. Wipe affected leaves with your fingers during water changes, and consider adding a few Amano shrimp or Otocinclus as cleaners.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much light does Anubias nana petite need?

Anubias nana petite (Anubias Barteri Var Nana Petite) prefers low - medium lighting. Standard tank lighting is sufficient — no specialty fixture is required.