Anubias Heterophylla

Anubias Heterophylla (Congo Anubias) – Live Aquarium Plant | Florabiz

Anubias Heterophylla, often sold as Congo Anubias, is one of the largest and most striking members of the Anubias family. Native to the rivers, streams and marshes of Central and West Africa, it is closely related to the more common Anubias barteri, but with noticeably bigger foliage – individual leaves can grow up to 30 cm (12 inches) long on a mature specimen. Deep green, glossy and either broadly oval or lance-shaped, the leaves emerge from a thick, creeping rhizome that grows along the surface of driftwood or rock rather than through the substrate.

Florabiz grows and ships Anubias Heterophylla from our aquatic plant farm in Kozhikode, Kerala, to hobbyists across India. Like the rest of the Anubias genus, this is a plant built for patience rather than speed. It is a slow grower, which means it rarely needs trimming and holds its shape in the aquascape for months at a time, making it an excellent low-maintenance centrepiece for the midground or background of a planted tank. Because its broad canopy tolerates shade extremely well, Anubias Heterophylla is also one of the few statement plants that can be kept successfully in low-light aquariums where many other species would struggle.

Key Features

• Large, glossy, deep-green leaves that can reach up to 30 cm on a well-established plant
• Slow, steady growth habit that keeps its shape and needs very little trimming
• Thrives in low to moderate light and does not require CO2 injection
• Grows attached to hardscape (driftwood, rock) rather than planted in substrate
• Tolerant of a wide range of temperature, pH and water hardness
• Broad leaves create shaded, sheltered spots that shy or juvenile fish appreciate

Care Requirements

How to Plant Anubias Heterophylla

Anubias Heterophylla should never be buried in the substrate – the rhizome (the thick horizontal stem the leaves grow from) needs to stay exposed to open water, or it will rot. Instead, tie the rhizome to a piece of driftwood or a rock using cotton thread, fishing line, or aquarium-safe cyanoacrylate glue, positioning it so the roots have contact with the hardscape surface. Over the following weeks the plant will send out its own roots and anchor itself naturally, at which point any thread or line used to hold it in place can be removed.

Ongoing Maintenance

Once attached, Anubias Heterophylla asks for very little. Because it grows so slowly, pruning is rarely necessary beyond removing the occasional old or damaged leaf close to the rhizome. Regular water changes and a light dose of liquid fertiliser containing potassium and iron will keep the foliage a healthy, deep green. Keep an eye out for green spot algae on the leaves, which usually signals too much direct light rather than a problem with the plant itself – moving it to a shadier spot or reducing photoperiod normally resolves it.

Why Choose Anubias Heterophylla for Your Aquarium

For aquarists who want dramatic height and structure without the upkeep of fast-growing stem plants, Anubias Heterophylla is hard to beat. Its oversized, sculptural leaves anchor a hardscape layout, its slow growth means the aquascape stays looking the way you designed it, and its tolerance for low light and a wide range of water parameters makes it forgiving for beginners while still looking impressive in advanced aquascapes, betta tanks, and larger community setups. Grown on our farm in Kozhikode and shipped across the country, Florabiz’s Anubias Heterophylla arrives ready to attach and settle straight into your tank.

For more information on Anubias Heterophylla care visit Fishkeeping World andAquatic Plant Central.

Browse our complete epiphyte plant collection for more driftwood and rock attachment plant options.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can Anubias Heterophylla be planted directly in the substrate?
It’s best not to bury the rhizome, as this restricts oxygen to it and often leads to rot. Instead, attach the plant to driftwood or rock so the rhizome stays exposed to the water; the roots will happily grow into the substrate on their own if the hardscape is placed near it.

2. How much light does Anubias Heterophylla need?
It prefers low to moderate lighting and actually does best out of direct, intense light, which can cause algae to build up on its broad leaves. This makes it one of the best choices for shaded corners or low-tech tanks with minimal lighting.

3. Why is my Anubias Heterophylla growing so slowly?
Slow growth is completely normal for this species – it is one of the slowest-growing plants in the aquarium hobby even under ideal conditions. As long as the leaves are firm and green and new leaves appear every few weeks to months, the plant is healthy; it simply prioritises quality growth over speed.

4. Does Anubias Heterophylla need CO2 or special fertiliser?
No, it grows well without CO2 injection and can survive on the nutrients naturally present in most aquariums. That said, an occasional dose of a liquid fertiliser with potassium and iron will support richer colour and steadier leaf production.

5. How do I propagate Anubias Heterophylla?
Propagation is done by dividing the rhizome. Once the plant has several leaves and looks bushy, use a clean, sharp blade to cut the rhizome into sections, making sure each section keeps at least two to three leaves and some roots, then attach each new section to hardscape as you would the original plant.