Anubias barteri var. nana 'Petite'
The smallest anubias variety, with leaves under 2 cm — the nano-tank equivalent of standard anubias nana. Tucks into wood crevices and on small stones where bigger anubias would dominate the scape. Same care: rhizome above the substrate or it rots; rinse algae off leaves regularly.
Anubias Barteri 'Petite' (Anubias barteri var. nana 'Petite') is a epiphyte aquatic plant for the foreground to midground of a planted tank. It reaches 3–7 cm under good conditions and grows at a very slow rate. Light: low to medium. CO₂: optional. Target 22–28 °C, pH 5.5–8.0, and 2–15 dGH. Substrate: Not planted — tied to stone or wood.. Propagate via rhizome division.
Care at a glance
The smallest anubias variety, with leaves under 2 cm — the nano-tank equivalent of standard anubias nana. Tucks into wood crevices and on small stones where bigger anubias would dominate the scape. Same care: rhizome above the substrate or it rots; rinse algae off leaves regularly.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete guide to the planted aquarium.
The parameters that decide whether anubias barteri 'petite' fits in your tank.
Araceae
Epiphyte
Foreground to midground
Not planted — tied to stone or wood.
Rhizome division
Selectively bred cultivar (West African parentage)
Selectively bred cultivar (West African parentage)
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 very slow rate.
Anubias Barteri 'Petite' (Anubias barteri var. nana 'Petite') needs low to medium light. Run a photoperiod of 6–8 hours; longer photoperiods invite algae unless CO₂ and dosing are dialled in.
Position: foreground to midground. Substrate: Not planted — tied to stone or wood. It typically reaches 3–7 cm.
Propagation method: Rhizome division. Anubias Barteri 'Petite' is a epiphyte plant.
Target 22–28 °C, pH 5.5–8.0, and 2–15 dGH. Flow tolerance: low to medium.
Difficulty: 1/5. Almost unkillable, a solid first-tank choice.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this plant with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
