Plant comparison
Anubias Barteri Nana vs Brazilian Pennywort
How the Anubias Barteri Nana and Brazilian Pennywort compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which plant suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Anubias Barteri Nana vs Brazilian Pennywort
The Anubias Barteri Nana and the Brazilian Pennywort come up together a lot when people are choosing a plant, and they are close enough to weigh side by side. 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
- Brazilian Pennywort20–28 °C
pH
- Anubias Barteri Nana6–7.5
- Brazilian Pennywort6–7.8
Hardness
- Anubias Barteri Nana2–15 dGH
- Brazilian Pennywort2–20 dGH
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  PlantAnubias Barteri NanaAnubias barteri var. nana |  PlantBrazilian PennywortHydrocotyle leucocephala |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Plant | Plant |
| Origin | West Africa (Cameroon) | Central and South America |
| Family | Araceae | Araliaceae |
| Temperature | 22–28 °C | 20–28 °C |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 | 6.0–7.8 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 2–15 | 2–20 |
| Flow rate | Low to High | Low to Medium |
| Max height | 10–15 cm | 10–50 cm |
| Difficulty | 1 / 5 | 1 / 5 |
| Light | Low to Medium | Low to High |
| CO₂ | None to Optional | None to Optional |
| Growth rate | Slow | Fast |
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 Brazilian Pennywort 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 Brazilian Pennywort?
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 Brazilian Pennywort 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 Brazilian Pennywort?
Placement and light. The Anubias Barteri Nana works as foreground or midground, the Brazilian Pennywort as midground, and their light needs differ, which is covered in the table.