Have you ever asked if your beautiful anubias can live outside water? As someone who loves aquariums, I wondered this too. A friend asked if anubias could be out of water for a while without dying.
To my surprise, expert aquascapers said yes. These semi-aquatic plants can survive a short time without water. They develop aerial roots, which help them survive when not fully submerged.
Key Takeaways
- Anubias plants are semi-aquatic, capable of growing both submerged and emersed.
- They can be taken out of water for short durations, thanks to their ability to produce aerial roots.
- Anubias make excellent low-maintenance choices for aquariums and terrariums alike.
- Certain dwarf varieties like Anubias barteri var. nana are well-suited for emersed terrarium setups.
- Proper lighting, humidity, and substrate are crucial for successful emersed Anubias growth.
Introduction to Anubias
Anubias comes from tropical Africa, belonging to the Araceae family.
They get their name from Anubis, the Egyptian god. This is because they typically grow near shaded wetlands and streams. These plants are often placed in aquariums, but they thrive best in a set-up where their leaves are not fully submerged.
Their growth is slow, and they stay small. This makes them perfect for terrariums and paludariums.
Origin and Features of Anubias
Anubias is from tropical Africa. They are called after the god Anubis, due to living in dark, wet areas. Anubias barteri is a top choice for those who love fish tanks.
Anubias as a Popular Aquarium Plant
Even though Anubias is semi-aquatic, they are very popular in fish tanks. They can also live out of water, which makes them great for terrariums too. They’re loved for their small size and slow growth.
Anubias comes in different sizes, with leaves as small as half an inch to as big as 5 inches. They grow new leaves every 4-6 weeks. Some favorites are Anubias Nana Petite and Anubias Nana Golden.
| Variety | Leaf Size | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Anubias Nana Petite | ~0.5 inch | Ideal for nano tanks |
| Anubias Nana Golden | Up to 5 inches | Golden-yellow leaves |
| Anubias Golden Coin | Circular leaves | Mid or background placement |
| Anubias Nana Pinto | White-green patterns | Unique leaf markings |
| Anubias Snow White | Rarer species | Prefers high lighting |
Terrarium plants like Anubias Nana Petite and Golden Coin are perfect. They’re small, have unique leaves, and grow slowly. This makes them great for small garden-like spaces.
Can Anubias Grow Out of Water?
Anubias are special plants that can live in water or on land. They come from Africa’s tropical rainforests and love wet places near streams. This makes them great for growing partly in the water and partly out.
Anubias – A Semi-Aquatic Plant
They have adapted to survive in humid areas found near marshes and streams. Anubias can live with their leaves and rhizomes completely underwater or sticking out above. This amazing ability to switch between wet and dry conditions is a key feature of anubias.
Transitioning Anubias to Emersed Form
Changing Anubias from full water to a terrarium can be a challenge. The leaves that grew underwater might not make it at first. Yet, the plant will bounce back by growing new leaves that like being in the air. But remember, it must stay very humid as it makes this change.
Many fish tank lovers have had success growing Anubias out of water in terrariums. They say the secret is to keep the air moist and the roots a little wet. This helps the plant to do well, even if it’s not fully underwater.
Cultivars Suitable for Emersed Growth
Several types of Anubias barteri are great for emersed setups. They do well in terrariums and paludariums.
This specific dwarf type only gets to be about 10cm (4 inches) tall. It’s perfect for the front or middle of a terrarium. With its slow growth and small size, it’s ideal for small spaces.
Anubias barteri var. nana
The ‘Petite’ kind is the smallest, growing just 5cm (2 inches) tall. It has tiny leaves that are only 1.5cm x 0.5cm. This makes it perfect for small terrariums or as a ground cover.
Anubias barteri var. ‘Petite’
The ‘Gold’ version is notable for its golden-yellow leaves. These leaves bring a nice pop of color. Start them in the front area and move them as they get bigger.
Anubias barteri var. nana ‘Gold’
This variety is often called ‘Coffeefolia’ because of its rich, reddish-brown to green leaves. It can get pretty tall, up to 50cm (20 inches). Its leaves are rough, which creates interesting textures in terrariums.
Anubias barteri (‘Coffeefolia’)
About 50% say you should keep Anubias always in water to avoid dry leaves. But the other 50% like to try growing them partly out of water. They say you need to keep the air very humid. It’s said that spraying the plants with water many times a day, at least 5, can help them adjust.
Some people have luck growing Anubias with only their roots in water. They keep the rhizome, which is the stem part, out of water or soil. To keep the air moist, they use a mix of soil and plastic wrap.
Others put their Anubias near splashing water or underwater bubbles. This way, they don’t need to spray the plants so often. Using rock wool can help keep the roots wet when growing Anubias without full water, like in ripariums.
| Cultivar | Height | Leaf Size | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. barteri var. nana | 10cm (4 inches) | – | Compact, slow growth ideal for small setups |
| A. barteri var. ‘Petite’ | 5cm (2 inches) | 1.5cm x 0.5cm | Smallest cultivar, suitable for nano tanks and carpeting |
| A. barteri var. nana ‘Gold’ | – | Elliptical | Golden-yellow leaves provide color contrast |
| A. barteri (‘Coffeefolia’) | 50cm (20 inches) | Heavily ridged | Reddish-brown new growth, unique textured foliage |
Requirements for Emersed Anubias Growth
For Anubias plants, a basic desk lamp works well, as long as it’s 20cm (8 inches) above. This amount of light is perfect. Just make sure they don’t get direct sunlight. It can harm their leaves. They are great for moving from water to partly dry setups.
Light Requirements
Anubias need just a bit of light to grow well. They do best with 2-3 watts of light per gallon. So, LED or fluorescent lights work great. This light amount is good for semi-dry environments.
Growing Media
To plant Anubias, use ADA Amazonia Aqua Soil. Make sure you don’t cover the rhizome, let it lay on the ground. This way, the plant can get the food and water it needs without getting soggy.
Water and Humidity Needs
Anubias like to stay damp all the time. But don’t let them sit in water. They are very good with a little too much water, which helps if you’re learning. Keep the air around them humid by gently spraying them once or twice a week.
Fertilizing Emersed Anubias
Since Anubias grow slowly, they don’t need a lot of food. Use slow-release pellets or a little liquid fertilizer now and then. A good aquarium plant food helps them stay healthy.
Maintaining Anubias Out of Water
When you take Anubias out of water, they stay healthy for an hour or two. They won’t show drying signs right away. You can spray water on them or keep them moist in a cloth. After replanting, they will bounce back.
Discussing how to grow Anubias nana out of water, they grow slower emersed. One person saw only one new leaf in three months. Someone else got three new leaves in a month using the under-water method.
- More light, like 20-30 watts per gallon
- More CO2 for under-water growth especially
- Use more fertilizer
- Keep them close to light, try floating them
Light and distance to light affect growth differently for each person’s Anubias. But, keeping them in an 80-degree Fahrenheit area helps them grow well.
Mistreated Anubias can dry out and turn brown. Using mother plants could help grow more leaves.
To keep Anubias healthy out of water, regular misting and good attachment to rocks or wood help their growth.
Conclusion
In my experience, Anubias plants are great for moving into semi-aquatic emersed growth setups. They are adaptable to this kind of living, needing high humidity, good light, and a wet substrate system full of nutrients to do well. This means they can grow outside of the water without much effort.
Anubias plants come in different textures and colors. For example, ‘Petite’ and ‘Coffeefolia’ are pretty and useful in setups like terrariums and paludariums.
One big plus of Anubias is they can get carbon dioxide better when some leaves are above the water. This helps their growth. They are also easy to take care of and are very forgiving. This means they are good for all levels of plant keepers interested in semi-aquatic plants.
Anubias plants offer many creative opportunities. They are not just for regular aquariums, but can be part of many other setups.
By knowing how to grow them and what they need, anyone can create beautiful, natural-looking displays. These displays really show off the beauty of Anubias plants.
FAQ
Can Anubias plants grow out of water?
Anubias are semi-aquatic. They do well with leaves out of the water in places like terrariums. These plants can shift from full submersion to above water, if the setting is right.
What are the key requirements for emersed Anubias growth?
For Anubias to grow out of water, keep the air moist and the light just right (not too bright). A special soil for aquatic plants helps, as well as a little fertilizer now and then. They’re good at adjusting to being in water or on land.
Which Anubias varieties are best for emersed cultivation?
If you’re building a terrarium or paludarium, look for small, slow-growing Anubias. Varieties such as Anubias barteri var. nana, ‘Petite’, ‘Gold’, and ‘Coffeefolia’ fit well. Their small size and slow pace make them ideal for drier environments.
How long can Anubias stay out of water during maintenance?
Anubias can be out of water for 1-2 hours without getting hurt. You can keep them healthy by lightly spraying the leaves. Or, wrap them in a damp cloth to prevent dryness.
Will existing submerged Anubias leaves adapt when transitioned to emersed growth?
When moving Anubias from water to air, the underwater leaves might not make it. They could wilt or die at first. Yet, the plant will bounce back, growing new leaves that suit the drier conditions.
Source Links
- https://www.nparks.gov.sg/nparksbuzz/issue-14-vol-3-2012/gardening/anubias–not-just-for-aquariums
- https://buceplant.com/blogs/aquascaping-guides-and-tips/all-about-anubias-aquarium-plants
- http://www.wetwebmedia.com/PlantedTksSubWebIndex/anubiasfaqs.htm
- https://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/threads/can-anubias-be-grown-out-of-water.20685/
- https://www.aquariadise.com/can-anubias-grow-out-of-water/
- https://www.plantedtank.net/threads/anubias-emersed.520393/
- https://aquariumplantsfactory.com/blogs/news/how-to-grow-anubias-and-prevent-anubias-melt-a-guide-by-aquarium-plants-factory
- https://kavemanaquatics.com/how-to-grow-anubias-plant-out-of-water/
- https://www.plantedtank.net/threads/growing-anubias-nana-out-of-water.100123/
