Anubias hastifolia
A large, taller anubias with arrow-shaped (hastate) leaves and a tropical-jungle silhouette. Best used as a single specimen on a large piece of driftwood. Holds size — won't disappear behind broad swords.
Spear-leaf Anubias (Anubias hastifolia) is a epiphyte aquatic plant for the midground to background of a planted tank. It reaches 20–40 cm under good conditions and grows at a slow rate. Light: low to medium. CO₂: optional. Target 22–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, and 2–15 dGH. Substrate: Not planted — tied to large rocks or wood structures.. Propagate via rhizome division.
Care at a glance
A large, taller anubias with arrow-shaped (hastate) leaves and a tropical-jungle silhouette. Best used as a single specimen on a large piece of driftwood. Holds size — won't disappear behind broad swords.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete guide to the planted aquarium.
The parameters that decide whether spear-leaf anubias fits in your tank.
Araceae
Epiphyte
Midground to background
Not planted — tied to large rocks or wood structures.
Rhizome division
West and Central Africa
West and Central Africa
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
CO₂ requirement: optional. Light requirement: low to medium. Under low-tech conditions the plant grows at a slow rate.
Spear-leaf Anubias (Anubias hastifolia) needs low to medium light. Run a photoperiod of 6–8 hours; longer photoperiods invite algae unless CO₂ and dosing are dialled in.
Position: midground to background. Substrate: Not planted — tied to large rocks or wood structures. It typically reaches 20–40 cm.
Propagation method: Rhizome division. Spear-leaf Anubias is a epiphyte plant.
Target 22–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, and 2–15 dGH. Flow tolerance: low to medium.
Difficulty: 2/5. Forgiving, beginner-friendly once the tank is cycled.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this plant with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
