There comes a time in the life of almost every aquarium or terrarium enthusiast when enthusiasm gets the better of experience.

You see a beautifully planted aquarium in a YouTube video or admire a lush terrarium at a friend’s home. The rocks look as though they’ve been carved by nature itself, moss tumbles over driftwood, and every plant appears effortlessly healthy. Inspired, you rush to the nearest nursery or place an online order, convinced that by the weekend you’ll have created your own little slice of paradise.

Reality, however, has a wonderful sense of humour.

A week later one plant has turned yellow, another seems to have vanished beneath a coat of algae, and the one you were most excited about has simply given up. Suddenly, what looked so easy in those videos begins to feel surprisingly complicated.

Fortunately, every hobby has that one dependable companion that quietly restores your confidence. In the world of aquascaping and terrariums, that plant is Anubias Nana.

It isn’t flashy. It doesn’t grow at astonishing speed, nor does it demand expensive lighting systems, CO₂ injection, or constant attention. Instead, it does something rather remarkable. It simply grows, slowly but steadily, asking for very little while rewarding even beginner hobbyists with rich green foliage that remains attractive throughout the year.

Perhaps that explains why Anubias Nana has earned a reputation as one of the most popular aquatic plants in the world. Whether you browse professional aquascaping competitions, visit public aquariums, or admire beautifully designed paludariums, chances are you’ve already seen it countless times without even realising it.

Meet Anubias Nana

Native to the tropical rainforests of West Africa, Anubias Nana belongs to a group of plants that naturally grow along rivers, streams, and wetlands where water levels rise and fall throughout the year. During the rainy season these plants may remain completely submerged beneath flowing water. When the dry season arrives, they continue growing happily above the waterline, clinging to rocks, fallen logs, and tree roots.

This remarkable adaptability is one of the reasons Anubias Nana has become such a favourite among hobbyists. Unlike many aquatic plants that struggle whenever conditions change, it has evolved to cope with constantly changing environments. Whether submerged in an aquarium or growing in the humid atmosphere of a terrarium, it seems perfectly comfortable as long as its basic needs are met.

Although it is often sold as an aquarium plant, Anubias Nana is far more versatile than many people realise. At Terrarium Labs, we regularly use it in humid terrariums, paludariums, vivariums, moss displays, and miniature rainforest ecosystems. Its thick, glossy leaves create beautiful contrast against delicate mosses and creeping plants, while its slow growth makes it remarkably easy to maintain.

For anyone looking to build a natural-looking miniature ecosystem, it is one of the safest choices available.

Why Hobbyists Love It

Every experienced aquascaper remembers their first successful aquarium plant, and for many people that plant was Anubias Nana.

Unlike demanding carpeting plants or colourful stem species that require perfect water conditions, Anubias Nana rarely complains. It tolerates lower light levels, grows without pressurised CO₂, and is surprisingly forgiving if maintenance occasionally gets delayed. That doesn’t mean it should be neglected, but it certainly understands that life gets busy from time to time.

Its slow growth, which some beginners initially see as a disadvantage, eventually becomes one of its greatest strengths. Fast-growing plants demand regular pruning, often changing the appearance of an aquascape within weeks. Anubias Nana grows at its own gentle pace, allowing carefully designed layouts to retain their original character for months. Instead of constantly trimming leaves, you can spend more time simply enjoying your miniature landscape.

Professional aquascapers appreciate another quality as well. Because Anubias Nana naturally attaches itself to hardscape rather than growing deeply rooted in soil, it becomes an ideal plant for decorating driftwood, lava rock, dragon stone, and spiderwood. This ability allows designers to create forests, riverbanks, and rocky cliffs that look as though nature assembled them herself.

Not Just an Aquarium Plant

One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding Anubias Nana is that it belongs only inside aquariums. While it certainly thrives underwater, it performs equally well in humid environments where only its roots remain moist.

This makes it a wonderful choice for modern terrariums and paludariums. In a closed terrarium, where humidity remains consistently high, Anubias Nana develops beautifully polished leaves that seem almost waxed. In paludariums, where land gradually merges into shallow water, it looks completely at home growing between moss-covered rocks and pieces of driftwood.

Many people are surprised to discover that some of the healthiest Anubias specimens are actually grown outside aquariums by commercial nurseries. Given adequate humidity, indirect light, and consistently moist roots, the plant adapts effortlessly to life above water.

This versatility explains why it has become equally popular among aquarium hobbyists, terrarium builders, reptile keepers, and even interior designers looking to create living green displays.

Part 2: Growing It Right, Avoiding Common Mistakes, and Helping It Thrive

By now, you’ve probably realised why Anubias Nana has earned such a loyal following. It isn’t the fastest growing plant, nor the most colourful. Yet it quietly finds its way into thousands of aquariums, terrariums, and paludariums around the world because it simply works.

That said, “easy to grow” doesn’t mean “impossible to kill.”

Most Anubias Nana problems happen because well-meaning hobbyists love the plant just a little too much. They bury it too deeply, expose it to intense lighting, overfeed it with fertilisers, or keep moving it around in search of the “perfect spot.”

Ironically, Anubias Nana often grows best when you leave it alone.

Planting Anubias Nana Correctly

If there is one thing you remember from this guide, let it be this:

Never bury the rhizome.

The rhizome is the thick horizontal stem from which both the roots and leaves emerge. Beginners often mistake it for part of the root system and plant it completely beneath the substrate. Unfortunately, this usually causes the rhizome to rot, eventually killing the plant. Keeping the rhizome above the substrate is one of the most important care requirements for healthy Anubias.

Instead, try one of these methods:

• Tie it gently to driftwood using cotton thread or fishing line.
• Attach it to Dragon Stone or Lava Rock using aquarium-safe glue.
• Wedge it naturally between rocks.
• Allow the roots to anchor themselves over time.

Within a few weeks, you’ll notice tiny roots gripping the hardscape. Once established, the thread often becomes unnecessary.

Does It Need Fertilisers?

This is one of the most common questions we receive.

The short answer is… not really.

Anubias Nana is not a hungry plant. It absorbs nutrients from the water column rather than relying heavily on substrate. In a healthy aquarium with fish, natural waste often provides enough nutrients for slow, steady growth.

If your aquarium is lightly stocked or your terrarium contains only plants, adding a quality liquid fertiliser once every week or two can certainly help. Just don’t overdo it.

Too much fertiliser rarely makes Anubias grow dramatically faster.

It usually encourages algae instead.

Like many things in nature, balance matters more than abundance.

What About CO₂?

If you’ve spent time watching professional aquascaping videos, you’ve probably noticed expensive CO₂ systems bubbling away in spectacular planted tanks.

The good news?

Anubias Nana doesn’t demand any of that.

It grows perfectly well without injected CO₂. Additional carbon dioxide may encourage slightly quicker growth, but it certainly isn’t essential. That’s one reason it has become such a popular choice for low-tech aquariums and beginner hobbyists.

If your aquarium already has healthy fish and good biological activity, the naturally available CO₂ is often more than enough.

Why Is My Anubias Growing So Slowly?

Because that’s exactly what it was designed to do.

Many aquatic plants produce new leaves every few days.

Anubias Nana doesn’t.

Depending on conditions, you might only see one or two new leaves every month. That may feel slow when you’re eagerly checking your aquarium each morning, but patience is simply part of growing this plant. Its naturally slow growth rate is well documented and one of the reasons it requires so little maintenance.

The reward is durability.

Each leaf remains attractive for months and often far longer than leaves on faster-growing plants.

Think of Anubias as the tortoise rather than the hare.

Algae: The One Thing It Doesn’t Like

Ask experienced aquascapers about Anubias Nana, and many will mention algae.

Not because the plant causes algae.

Because its slow-growing leaves provide algae with plenty of time to settle.

Green Spot Algae.

Hair Algae.

Black Beard Algae.

All of them seem rather fond of Anubias.

Fortunately, prevention is easier than treatment.

Keep lighting moderate.

Avoid leaving aquarium lights on for twelve hours a day simply because you enjoy looking at the tank.

Maintain regular water changes.

Don’t overdose fertilisers.

Introduce algae-eating shrimp or snails if suitable for your setup.

Most importantly, remember that plants need darkness too.

Your aquarium doesn’t have to remain illuminated from breakfast until bedtime.

Growing Anubias in Terrariums

This surprises many newcomers.

Anubias Nana often grows even faster outside water than inside it.

Commercial nurseries around the world frequently cultivate Anubias above water because growth is stronger and algae becomes far less of a problem.

In a closed terrarium, keep these points in mind:

• Maintain consistently high humidity.
• Keep the roots moist but never waterlogged.
• Allow gentle air circulation occasionally.
• Provide bright, indirect light.
• Avoid prolonged direct afternoon sun.

When happy, Anubias develops beautifully glossy leaves that almost appear polished.

A Natural Choice for Paludariums

If there is one environment where Anubias truly looks at home, it’s a paludarium.

Because it naturally grows along rivers and streams in the wild, it adapts beautifully to landscapes where rocks emerge from shallow water and moss carpets gradually climb upwards.

Position it where:

• The roots remain damp.
• The rhizome stays above water.
• Water gently flows nearby.
• Humidity remains consistently high.

Combined with moss, miniature ferns, creeping Ficus pumila and carefully positioned driftwood, it creates remarkably realistic rainforest scenes.

Propagating Anubias Nana

Eventually, your plant becomes large enough to share.

Propagation couldn’t be much simpler.

Using a clean, sharp blade, divide the rhizome into sections, ensuring each piece contains several healthy leaves and roots. Within weeks, each division begins establishing itself independently. This method is the standard way Anubias is propagated by hobbyists and commercial growers alike.

It feels strangely satisfying.

Almost like receiving two plants for the price of one.

Common Problems and Simple Solutions

Yellow Leaves

Usually caused by ageing, poor nutrition, or excessive light.

Older leaves naturally yellow over time. Simply trim them close to the rhizome.

Melting Leaves

Often happens when moving a plant from emersed (above water) growth into a submerged aquarium.

Don’t panic.

New underwater leaves usually replace the old ones.

Brown Rhizome

If the rhizome becomes soft or mushy, rot has probably started.

Remove damaged portions immediately and ensure the remaining rhizome stays above the substrate.

Holes in Leaves

May indicate nutrient deficiencies or damage from herbivorous fish.

Inspect both before adding more fertiliser.

Why We Recommend It to Beginners

At Terrarium Labs, people often ask us,

“If I could buy only one aquatic plant, which would you recommend?”

More often than not, our answer is Anubias Nana.

Not because it’s the rarest.

Not because it’s the fastest growing.

Simply because it teaches patience.

It encourages observation rather than constant intervention.

It reminds us that plants don’t grow according to our schedules.

They grow according to theirs.

And perhaps that’s one of the quiet joys of keeping living ecosystems.

Explore More Anubias at Terrarium Labs

If Anubias Nana has captured your interest, you’ll be pleased to know it’s only one member of a fascinating family.

At Terrarium Labs, we also stock a selection of other beautiful Anubias varieties that can add different textures, colours, and leaf shapes to your aquascapes, terrariums, and paludariums. Depending on availability, you may find favourites such as Anubias Nana Petite, Anubias Golden, Anubias Barteri, Anubias Coffeefolia, and other unique cultivars, each bringing its own character to a planted layout.

If you’re planning a nature-inspired display, don’t stop at just one plant. Mixing different Anubias varieties often creates a richer, more natural-looking landscape while keeping maintenance wonderfully simple.

Be sure to explore our complete collection of aquatic plants, terrarium plants, mosses, driftwood, Dragon Stone, Lava Rock, and terrarium supplies to help bring your miniature ecosystem to life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Anubias Nana grow in a terrarium?
Yes. It grows exceptionally well in humid closed terrariums and paludariums where the roots remain moist but the rhizome stays above the substrate.

Can I bury Anubias Nana in soil?
No. Only the roots should contact the substrate. The rhizome should always remain exposed.

Does Anubias Nana need CO₂?
No. It grows happily without injected CO₂, making it ideal for beginner aquariums.

How fast does it grow?
Very slowly. New leaves usually appear over several weeks rather than days.

Can I attach it to rocks?
Absolutely. Dragon Stone, Lava Rock, river stones, and driftwood are all excellent choices.

Why are algae growing on my leaves?
Usually because of excessive lighting or excess nutrients. Reduce lighting hours and maintain regular cleaning.

Can it grow completely underwater?
Yes. It naturally grows both submerged and above water depending on seasonal conditions.

Is it suitable for beginners?
Without question. It is widely regarded as one of the easiest aquatic plants to grow.

Final Thoughts

In a hobby where new plants appear almost every month, it’s remarkable that Anubias Nana continues to remain one of the most recommended species decades after it first became popular.

Perhaps that’s because it reminds us that beauty doesn’t always arrive quickly.

Sometimes it grows one leaf at a time.

Whether you’re creating your very first aquarium, building a lush terrarium, or designing an intricate paludarium, Anubias Nana will probably become one of those plants you keep returning to. Quietly dependable, endlessly versatile, and wonderfully forgiving, it has earned its place as a classic.

And once you’ve grown one successfully, don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting another. After all, nature has a way of turning a single plant into a lifelong fascination.