Repotting guide

When & how to repot Anubias afzelii (Anubias afzelii)

Also called Afzel's Anubias, narrow-leaf Anubias.

More about anubias afzelii

About Anubias afzelii

Anubias afzelii · also called Afzel's Anubias, narrow-leaf Anubias · tropical

Anubias afzelii is a tall West African aquatic aroid with long, narrow, leathery lance-shaped leaves on upright petioles. A good background plant for larger aquariums and paludariums, it is hardy and slow-growing like other Anubias, attached to wood or rock and feeding from the water column under low to moderate light.

Mature size: Leaves 12-22 cm long; mature plants reach 25-45 cm tall with an indefinite rhizome spread.

Watch for — Algae on slow leaves: Long-lived narrow leaves collect green-spot and beard algae under bright light. Reduce light and improve circulation.

How to tell anubias afzelii needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For anubias afzelii, watch for these signs:

Roots spiralling thickly out of the drainage holes or pushing the whole plant up out of the pot.
The pot is so packed that water runs straight through in seconds and barely wets the soil.
It has split a plastic pot, or the rootball is a solid mass with almost no soil left when you slide it out.
Growth and (for anubias afzelii) flowering have clearly stalled despite good light and feeding — but remember this plant likes being snug, so a little crowding alone is not a reason to repot.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot anubias afzelii

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded. Anubias afzelii is one of the plants that genuinely prefers a snug pot — it grows and flowers better with its roots a little restricted, so resist the urge to repot it on schedule. Tall creeping rhizomatous aquatic herb with long, narrow leaves held upright on sturdy petioles. Slow-growing but eventually substantial, well suited to aquarium backgrounds and emersed displays..

What size pot to step anubias afzelii up to

Go up only one pot size — roughly 2–3 cm (about an inch) wider in diameter, no more. Anubias afzelii positively prefers a snug pot: it flowers and grows better when the roots are a little restricted. The single biggest repotting mistake here is over-potting — dropping anubias afzelii into a pot two or three sizes up. All that surplus soil holds water the small root system cannot use, stays cold and wet, and rots the roots within weeks. When in doubt, choose the smaller pot.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot anubias afzelii

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for anubias afzelii. The plant is moving into its strongest growth phase and re-roots into fresh soil quickly. Avoid repotting in winter dormancy or, for flowering plants, while it is in bud or bloom — recovery is slowest then and you risk dropping the flowers.

Step-by-step: repotting anubias afzelii

Confirm it actually needs it. Slide anubias afzelii out and check the roots. Only continue if it is genuinely packed — this plant prefers a snug pot, so if there is still soil and room, put it straight back.
Pick a pot only one size up. Choose a pot just 2–3 cm wider with good drainage. Resist anything bigger; over-potting is the main killer here.
Ease it out gently. Water lightly the day before, then tip anubias afzelii out, supporting the base. Tease the outer roots free only enough to stop them circling.
Repot at the same depth. Add a layer of fresh rhizome attached to hardscape, never buried, set the plant so the soil line sits exactly where it did before, and backfill around the sides, firming lightly.
Settle it in. Water once to settle the soil, then let it sit. Hold off on more water until the top of the soil dries — fresh soil around a small root system stays wet for a while.

Aftercare

Because the new soil holds more water than the old crammed rootball did, ease right back on watering — let the top of the soil dry before you water anubias afzelii again, or you will rot the roots in the very pot you just moved it to. Keep it out of harsh direct sun for a fortnight. Do not fertilise for about 4 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for anubias afzelii

Anubias afzelii wants rhizome attached to hardscape, never buried. Tie or glue the rhizome to driftwood or rock with the rhizome exposed; roots may grip gravel or sand. Burying the rhizome causes rot. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting anubias afzelii — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot anubias afzelii?

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded for anubias afzelii. Only repot anubias afzelii every 2–4 years, and only when it is genuinely root-bound — it flowers and grows best slightly crowded. Step up just one pot size in spring using rhizome attached to hardscape, never buried. The key mistake is over-potting: a too-big pot stays wet and rots the roots.

What size pot does anubias afzelii need?

When is the best time of year to repot anubias afzelii?

Does anubias afzelii like to be root-bound?

Yes — anubias afzelii genuinely flowers and grows best when slightly pot-bound, so do not rush to repot it. The mistake to avoid is over-potting into a much larger pot: the excess soil stays wet, the roots cannot use it, and the plant rots. Only repot every few years and only one snug size up.

Should you fertilise anubias afzelii after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting anubias afzelii. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.