Anubias 'Frazeri' Care Guide
Anubias 'Frazeri' is a hybrid Anubias with elongated lance-shaped leaves; a tough, slow-growing epiphyte best attached to wood or rock, not buried.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Anubias 'Frazeri' is a hybrid Anubias with elongated, slightly pointed lance-shaped leaves and an upright growth habit. It is a mid-sized, very tolerant and undemanding epiphyte that brings vertical structure to driftwood arrangements. Like all Anubias it grows slowly and feeds from the water column.
Taxonomy
- Family: Araceae
- Genus: Anubias
- Scientific name: Anubias 'Frazeri'
- Note: cultivated hybrid within the genus
Habitat
The genus Anubias is native to tropical central and western Africa, where the plants grow in rivers, streams and marshes in shaded conditions. They typically grow attached to rocks or bogwood rather than rooted in substrate. 'Frazeri' is a cultivated hybrid derived from species within the genus.
Growth requirements
- Light: low (subdued lighting preferred)
- CO2: not required, though it can improve growth rate
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.8
- GH: 3-14 °dGH
- Growth rate: slow
- Maximum height: about 20 cm
Placement
It is used in the midground, attached to hardscape. The rhizome must not be buried in substrate, as burying it can cause it to rot; instead it is fixed to rocks or wood with thread or gel-type glue and left exposed.
Propagation
Propagation is by rhizome division: a portion of rhizome bearing leaves is cut off and re-attached to hardscape.
Anubias 'Frazeri' Propagation: Rhizome Division and Mounting
Overview
Anubias 'Frazeri' is a hybrid Anubias with elongated, slightly pointed lance-shaped leaves that add vertical structure to driftwood layouts. Like all members of the genus Anubias (family Araceae, native to tropical central and western Africa), it grows from a thick horizontal rhizome, behaves as an epiphyte attaching to wood or rock, and is very tolerant and undemanding.
It is a true beginner plant: slow-growing, shade-tolerant and forgiving of a wide range of conditions, which makes its propagation straightforward and low-risk.
Propagation Method
Anubias is propagated by rhizome (stolon) division or from side shoots. The rhizome is the thick horizontal stem from which all leaves and roots grow; dividing it into sections, each carrying several leaves and roots, yields independent new plants. Because growth is slow, expect new pieces to take weeks to settle in.
Step-by-Step
- Lift the plant and locate the thick horizontal rhizome between the leaves and the roots.
- Cut the rhizome into sections, leaving at least three to four leaves and a set of roots on each piece.
- Mount each section on driftwood or rock — wedge it into a crack, tie it with sewing thread, or use super glue gel on the roots, pressing firmly for about 30 seconds until set.
- Avoid tying so tightly that the rhizome is crushed, and keep the rhizome itself exposed above the substrate.
Conditions
Anubias prefers subdued lighting and thrives where many plants struggle, so low light suits it well. It needs no added CO2, accepts a broad pH and hardness range, and can be grown either submersed or emersed — handy for paludariums. The reference record lists about 22–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.8 and low light.
Maintenance
Because it produces a leaf only every few weeks or slower, maintenance is minimal: remove old or damaged leaves, and check that the rhizome stays firm and green. Some leaf loss after a move is normal melt, expected from such a slow grower as it adjusts to a new environment.
Common Challenges
- Burying the rhizome causes rot — a soft, mushy, discoloured rhizome signals trouble.
- Slow leaves can accumulate algae, especially under strong light, so keep lighting modest.
- Tying or gluing too aggressively can damage the rhizome.
- A healthy rhizome should feel very firm and look green; mushy texture means rot.