Potted Anubias Nana Petite
Anubias Nana Petite
Scientific Name: Anubias Nana "Petite"
Common Names: Anubias Nana Petite, Small Anubias
Anubias Nana "Petite" is a plant that is easy to grow and a great beginner plant for blackwater, biotope, and botanical method aquarists. It does not require much attention and can be floated in the tank or attached to wood, rock, or other structural pieces of the ecosystem. Its thick and compact structure allows it to be placed even with some aggressive fish.
Anubias nana petite is a rosette plant, which means that all the leaves grow to the same size, and the root system will sit toward the top of the soil or substrate. The difference between nana and nana petite is the leaf size. Nana petite has leaves of about 1 to 2 inches, while anubias nana can get as large as 5 to 8 inches. It is an easy-to-grow plant that prefers not to be rooted in the substrate. We typically float the plant or attach it to a rock or a piece of manzanita driftwood. To attach it, we use a rubber band for two weeks or so and then remove it. Anubias nana petite is very hardy and can tolerate many aquarium conditions.
Caring for Nana Petite in Blackwater Aquariums
Care Level: Easy
Light: Low
CO2: Not Necessary, but can promote growth
Propagation: Separate by rhizome
Tint Tolerance: Low to High Levels of Tannins, but keep in mind that the more tint you have, the slower the growth of the plant will be.
Native Habitat: West Africa
To propagate anubias nana petite, simply cut the rhizome and leave 4-5 leaves on each section. The rhizome will continue to grow, and the plant will eventually thrive. Under good conditions anubias nana petite will propagate itself by sending out horizontal rhizomes with additional leaves. There is a myth on the internet that if you cut the rhizome of an anubias plant, the sap will make the water toxic; this is not true. We have propagated anubias nana petite in shrimp tanks and have never had a problem.
All Plants may contain snails or snail eggs. We keep them in all of our tanks for the benefits they provide. Our blackwater aquarium plants are provided by H2OPlants in adherence to their Shipping and DOA Policies. Your curated selection will arrive in their packaging separate from your botanical & merch orders.
Potted Anubias Nana Petite
Home is getting a bit more natural
While the aesthetic appeal of botanicals and tinted water can be quite attractive to us, the recreation of nature to emulate water conditions, feeding patterns, spawning displays, and territory building are the true benefits botanicals provide to our critters.
Botanical FAQs
Compostable Packaging Promise
Our packaging is designed to return safely to the Earth, just like the botanicals inside. Every bag is BPA- and Phthalate-free, GMO-free, and contains no animal products. Each meets ASTM D6400 composting standards, ensuring it can fully break down in a home compost bin.
What are the Fluffy White Growths on my Botanicals?
That’s biofilm and fungi—what we call the “goo phase.” It’s one of the clearest signs that your aquarium is alive and functioning. These growths wax and wane naturally as botanicals decompose. They’re harmless, even beneficial, and will disappear on their own once microbial populations stabilize.
Will botanicals lower the pH of my water?
That depends entirely on your source water. In very soft or RODI water, botanicals can gradually lower pH as tannins and humic substances accumulate. In medium to hard tap water, buffering capacity often resists these shifts, and you may not notice much change. At Betta Botanicals HQ, our very hard water (350+ ppm) shows almost no pH change unless we use botanicals like Alder Cones or Macaranga Leaves.
When should I replace leaves or pods in my tank?
We recommend allowing botanicals to fully break down into detritus, since this fuels microbial life and enriches the substrate. You can remove them once they stop tinting the water, but you’ll lose some of their ecological benefits. Each time you add new botanicals, follow proper preparation and observe your livestock until you learn your aquarium’s rhythm.
Are your products just for bettas?
Nope. Our botanicals are safe for almost all aquariums, terrariums, vivariums, and paludariums. The only exceptions are goldfish and axolotls, which may ingest small pods like alder cones or casuarina cones. For those species, we recommend large leaves such as Indian Almond, Loquat, or Jackfruit.
What are Tannins?
Tannins are natural compounds released by leaves, seed pods, and bark as they decompose in water. They soften water, gently lower pH, and create the characteristic tea-stained tint found in blackwater habitats. But their role goes far beyond color—tannins fuel beneficial bacteria, fungi, and biofilms, which form the foundation of a healthy ecosystem. They also offer mild antifungal benefits and help reduce stress in fish by replicating the natural conditions they’ve evolved in. At their core, tannins are plant-derived antioxidants that connect your aquarium to the same processes at work in wild flooded forests and streams.