Anubias Nana Bonsai

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Bonsai Anubias nana

Synonyms

Anubias nana

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

Cameroon, West Africa

Habitat

Shaded margins and shallow zones of forest rivers and streams with moderate to strong current, growing attached to rocks and exposed tree roots at the water's edge.

Sourcing

Aquacultured

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Easy

Growth form

Rhizome

Max height

2 – 6 in (5.1 – 15 cm)

Spread

8 in (20 cm)

Growth rate

Slow

Placement

Foreground, Midground, Epiphyte

Water

Temperature

72 – 82 °F (22 – 28 °C)

pH

6.0 – 7.5

GH

2 – 15 dGH

PAR

20 – 50 PAR

Flow

Low-Moderate

Light

Low

CO₂

Beneficial

Planting

Substrate

Not needed

Feeds from

Both

Fertilizer needs

Low

Colors

Green

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Rhizome division

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Care guide

Overview

Selected as an intermediate cultivar between Petite and standard nana, it forms small teardrop leaves packed tightly on short stems. Mature clumps stay within 2 to 4 inches, making it a scaled midground accent or hardscape filler for nano tanks, with the same slow growth and easy care as other nana forms.

Care

One of the toughest plants in the hobby, tolerating a wide range of temperature, pH, and hardness with almost no attention. It grows slowly under low to medium light and does not require CO2, though modest supplementation can speed leaf production. Its thick, leathery leaves are unappealing to most grazing fish and shrimp, which helps it survive in mixed community setups where softer plants get shredded.

Planting & trimming

Attach the rhizome to driftwood or rock using cotton thread, fishing line, or a small dab of cyanoacrylate gel glue, keeping the rhizome itself fully exposed to water flow rather than buried in substrate. Once secured, avoid moving the plant, since it can take weeks to settle and resume active growth after disturbance. It also adapts well to emersed culture in humid paludariums or as a floating plant in bare-bottom tanks.

Fertilizing

Nutrient uptake happens mainly through the leaves and roots from the water column rather than the substrate, so root tabs are unnecessary. Light dosing of a liquid fertilizer containing iron and potassium supports steady leaf growth. Yellowing leaves usually point to nitrogen deficiency or insufficient light, while small pinholes suggest a lack of potassium.

Propagation

Propagate by cutting the horizontal rhizome into sections, making sure each piece retains at least three to four leaves and healthy roots. The severed pieces can be reattached to new hardscape and will continue growing independently with no special aftercare beyond stable water conditions.

Problems

Its notoriously slow leaf turnover makes older foliage a common target for green spot algae and black beard algae, especially under strong light or low flow. Rhizome rot is the most serious problem, usually triggered by burying the rhizome in substrate or physical damage, and appears as blackened, mushy tissue that needs to be cut away back to healthy material. Trimming damaged or algae-covered leaves at the base with clean scissors keeps the plant tidy and reduces disease spread.

Sources

1. Anubias Barteri Nana Care & Tank Mates, Fin & Stem
2. Anubias barteri var. nana - Flowgrow Aquatic Plant Database
3. Anubias nana (Anubias barteri var. nana) Care Guide & | Atlarium

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