Propagating Anubias barteri 'Round Leaf'

How to propagate the round-leaved Anubias barteri cultivar by rhizome division: cut healthy sections, attach to wood or rock, and never bury the rhizome.

Overview

Anubias barteri 'Round Leaf' is a cultivar of the West African aroid Anubias barteri, a species first described in 1860 and native to southeastern Nigeria, Cameroon, and Bioko. Like all forms of the species it is an epiphyte: the leathery leaves rise from a thick creeping rhizome that stays above the substrate and clings to rocks and wood. The cultivar is slow growing and tolerant of a broad range of lighting, which makes it a forgiving, beginner-friendly plant.

Propagation Method (Rhizome Division)

Anubias barteri is propagated by rhizome division or by separating side shoots. Because the plant grows from a horizontal rhizome rather than from cuttings of the leaves, you multiply it by cutting the rhizome into pieces, each carrying its own leaves and roots.

• Each division should keep at least 3-4 healthy leaves so it can support itself.
• Side shoots that have already formed their own leaves can simply be separated from the parent.
• Divisions are then tethered to hardscape, exactly as the mother plant grows in the wild on litter such as rocks and wood.

Step-by-Step

1. Remove the clump and rinse off debris so you can see the full length of the rhizome.
2. Choose a point where each side will retain at least 3-4 leaves, then cut cleanly through the rhizome with sterile scissors or a sharp blade.
3. Attach each division to driftwood or rock using a line of super glue gel pressed onto the hardscape, or tie it down with thread or fishing line.
4. Press the rhizome firmly to the surface for about 30 seconds until the glue sets, keeping the rhizome itself fully exposed.
5. Return the divisions to the tank and allow several weeks for them to settle in and push new leaves.

Conditions for Healthy Growth

This cultivar thrives in low light and tolerates a wide lighting range; in stronger light leaves form faster and stay more compact. Keep the water in the 22-28 C (72-82 F) range. No added CO2 is required. The leaves are hardy and tend not to melt when first submerged.

Maintenance

Growth is slow, so little trimming is needed. Allow several weeks after planting before expecting new leaves. Light fertilisation can speed the transition into a new tank, and removing the occasional old or damaged leaf keeps the round-leaved clump tidy and dense.

Common Challenges

The main challenge is patience: this is a slow grower that may take several weeks to start producing new leaves after division, so give it time before assuming a problem.