Anubias Rhizome Division Guide: How to Propagate Anubias

Anubias is among the hardiest aquarium plants available, but its slow growth means buying enough to fill a large aquascape gets expensive quickly. Learning to propagate through rhizome division lets you multiply a single mother plant into a dozen new ones over time. This anubias rhizome division propagation guide from Gensou Aquascaping at 5 Everton Park, Singapore, walks you through the process step by step so you can expand your collection without repeatedly opening your wallet.

Understanding the Anubias Rhizome

The rhizome is the thick, horizontal stem from which leaves grow upward and roots grow downward. It is the lifeline of the plant. Unlike stem plants that grow from cuttings, Anubias can only be propagated by dividing this rhizome. Burying the rhizome in substrate is a common beginner mistake that leads to rot. It must always remain exposed, attached to hardscape or left resting on the substrate surface.

When to Divide

Wait until the mother plant has a rhizome at least 8-10 cm long with a minimum of seven to eight healthy leaves. Dividing too early weakens both halves and slows recovery. Healthy Anubias in a well-maintained tank produces a new leaf roughly every two to three weeks under moderate lighting, so patience is essential. A mature Anubias barteri var. nana typically reaches dividable size within six to twelve months of purchase.

Tools You Need

A sharp, clean blade is crucial. Use a new razor blade or a sterilised craft knife. Dull cuts crush the rhizome tissue and invite bacterial infection. Have a pair of tweezers ready for replanting and superglue gel (cyanoacrylate) if you plan to attach the divisions to driftwood or stone. All tools should be rinsed in dechlorinated water before use.

Step-by-Step Division Process

Remove the mother plant from the tank and place it on a clean, damp surface. Identify natural segmentation points along the rhizome where slight narrowing occurs, often between leaf clusters. Position your blade and make a single, decisive cut perpendicular to the rhizome. Each division must retain at least three to four leaves and some existing roots. Avoid sawing back and forth; a clean slice heals faster.

If the rhizome has branched into a Y shape, you can simply separate the two branches at the fork. This is the easiest and safest division point.

Attaching Divisions to Hardscape

Superglue gel is the preferred method in Singapore’s aquascaping community. Apply a small bead of gel to dry driftwood or stone, press the rhizome onto it for 15-20 seconds, and the bond sets almost immediately. The glue is aquarium-safe once cured and the white residue disappears within days as biofilm covers it.

Alternatively, tie divisions onto hardscape using cotton thread, which dissolves after a few weeks once roots have gripped the surface. Fishing line works too but never degrades, so you may need to cut it away later. Avoid rubber bands, which deteriorate unpredictably and can constrict the growing rhizome.

Post-Division Care

Freshly divided Anubias may pause leaf production for two to four weeks while the cut end heals and the plant redirects energy to root growth. This is normal and not a sign of failure. Maintain stable water conditions, avoid moving the plant, and ensure moderate lighting of around 30-50 PAR. Excessive light on Anubias promotes algae growth on the broad leaves, particularly green spot algae and black beard algae.

Dose liquid fertiliser as usual; Anubias is primarily a water column feeder. Iron supplementation helps maintain the deep green leaf colour these plants are known for.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Cutting divisions too small is the most frequent error. A section with only one or two leaves often fails to establish and slowly declines. Using dirty tools introduces pathogens; if you notice a brownish-black rot spreading from the cut end, trim the affected section back to healthy green tissue immediately. Never bury the rhizome in substrate after division, even partially. Only the roots should be in the substrate.

Propagating Different Anubias Varieties

The same technique applies across all commonly available varieties: A. barteri var. nana, A. barteri var. nana petite, A. coffeefolia, A. hastifolia, and A. nangi. Petite varieties grow more slowly and need longer between divisions, sometimes 12-18 months. Larger species like A. hastifolia have thicker rhizomes that are easier to cut cleanly. Gensou Aquascaping Singapore stocks several Anubias varieties and can demonstrate the division technique in person for customers visiting our studio at 5 Everton Park.

Related Reading

• Anubias Barteri Round Leaf Care Guide: Broad Circular Foliage
• Anubias Barteri var. Glabra Care Guide: Narrow Lance-Shaped Leaves
• How to Propagate Anubias Nana Petite: Rhizome Division Guide
• Anubias Coffeefolia Care Guide: Textured Leaves Like Coffee
• Anubias Hastifolia Care Guide: The Largest Aquarium Anubias