Plant comparison
Anubias Barteri Nana vs Anubias Barteri 'Petite'
How the Anubias Barteri Nana and Anubias Barteri 'Petite' compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which plant suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Anubias Barteri Nana vs Anubias Barteri 'Petite'
The Anubias Barteri Nana and the Anubias Barteri 'Petite' are close cousins, both in the Anubias group, so at a glance they ask for a lot of the same things. Both are happy somewhere around 22 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7.5, so a single tank can suit either one. Neither is harder than the other to keep, so the choice comes down to look and stocking rather than skill. Read the full care notes on each below and pick the one whose look and pace fit the tank you're building.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
Temperature
- Anubias Barteri Nana22–28 °C
- Anubias Barteri 'Petite'22–28 °C
pH
- Anubias Barteri Nana6–7.5
- Anubias Barteri 'Petite'5.5–8
Hardness
- Anubias Barteri Nana2–15 dGH
- Anubias Barteri 'Petite'2–15 dGH
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  PlantAnubias Barteri NanaAnubias barteri var. nana |  PlantAnubias Barteri 'Petite'Anubias barteri var. nana 'Petite' |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Plant | Plant |
| Origin | West Africa (Cameroon) | Selectively bred cultivar (West African parentage) |
| Family | Araceae | Araceae |
| Temperature | 22–28 °C | 22–28 °C |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 | 5.5–8.0 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 2–15 | 2–15 |
| Flow rate | Low to High | Low to Medium |
| Max height | 10–15 cm | 3–7 cm |
| Difficulty | 1 / 5 | 1 / 5 |
| Light | Low to Medium | Low to Medium |
| CO₂ | None to Optional | Optional |
| Growth rate | Slow | Very slow |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Anubias Barteri Nana and Anubias Barteri 'Petite' together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 22 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7.5, so one set of water conditions keeps both comfortable. Match group sizes and cover the usual planted-tank basics and they share a tank fine.
Which is easier to keep, the Anubias Barteri Nana or the Anubias Barteri 'Petite'?
They sit at the same care level, both very easy, so neither is the obvious beginner pick. The decision is really about the look you're after.
Do Anubias Barteri Nana and Anubias Barteri 'Petite' need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 22 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7.5 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Anubias Barteri Nana and the Anubias Barteri 'Petite'?
Placement and light. The Anubias Barteri Nana works as foreground or midground, the Anubias Barteri 'Petite' as foreground or midground, and their light needs differ, which is covered in the table.