Propagating Anubias Petite: Rhizome Division Guide

Learn how to propagate the tiny Anubias barteri var. nana 'Petite' by dividing its rhizome and attaching the pieces to rocks or driftwood for slow, steady nano growth.

Overview

Anubias barteri var. nana 'Petite' is the smallest Anubias in the hobby, prized for its tiny deep-green leaves and easy care. Like all Anubias, it is an epiphyte: it grows from a thick horizontal rhizome that creeps along hardscape rather than rooting in substrate, sending leaves upward as it advances. Because it is so slow-growing and reaches only a couple of centimetres tall, propagation is mostly about patience rather than technique.

Propagation Method: Rhizome Division

Anubias is propagated by dividing the rhizome or by separating side shoots. You simply cut the thick horizontal stem into pieces, making sure every piece keeps several healthy leaves and a portion of roots. Each division then becomes an independent plant that can be tied or glued onto its own piece of hardscape.

Step-by-Step

1. Remove the parent plant and gently rinse the rhizome so you can see the leaf and root nodes.
2. With clean scissors or a blade, cut the rhizome into sections, leaving each piece several leaves and some roots.
3. Attach each division to a small rock or piece of driftwood: draw a thin line of super-glue gel on the hardscape and press the roots in place for about 30 seconds, or bind it on with sewing thread.
4. Keep the rhizome fully exposed on top of the hardscape, never under substrate.
5. Return the mounted divisions to the tank in a low-light, gently flowing spot and wait for new leaves.

Conditions for Healthy Growth

Petite thrives in low light and tolerates a wide range of conditions, with a comfortable temperature of about 22-28 C. In stronger light leaves grow a little faster and stay more compact, but bright light is never required. No CO2 is needed. Because it attaches to hardscape, it works equally well partially or fully submersed.

Maintenance

Maintenance is minimal: there is no trimming schedule for such a slow plant. Remove any damaged or yellowing leaves at the rhizome, keep flow moving across the leaves to discourage algae on the slow-growing surfaces, and let new roots grip the hardscape until the division is firmly anchored.

Common Challenges

• Rhizome rot from burying the rhizome in substrate - keep it exposed.
• Very slow recovery: divisions can take weeks to push new leaves, which is normal for this species.
• Algae on old leaves because growth is so slow; steady flow and low light help.
• Cutting pieces too small with too few leaves, which weakens the division.