Repotting guide

When & how to repot Anubias barteri var. barteri (Anubias barteri var. barteri)

Also called Anubias barteri, broad-leaf Anubias.

More about anubias barteri var. barteri

About Anubias barteri var. barteri

Anubias barteri var. barteri · also called Anubias barteri, broad-leaf Anubias · tropical

Anubias barteri var. barteri is a slow-growing West African aquatic aroid prized for tough, glossy broad leaves on a creeping rhizome. It thrives attached to wood or rock under low light, drawing nutrients from the water column. Almost indestructible, it suits beginner aquascapes and tolerates herbivorous fish that ignore its leathery, bitter foliage.

Mature size: Leaves 6-12 cm long; clumps reach 25-40 cm tall and spread indefinitely along the rhizome over time.

Watch for — Rhizome rot: Caused by burying the rhizome in substrate. Keep the rhizome fully exposed and attach only the roots; trim any mushy, blackened sections.

How to tell anubias barteri var. barteri needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For anubias barteri var. barteri, 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 barteri var. barteri) 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 barteri var. barteri

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded. Anubias barteri var. barteri 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. Creeping rhizomatous aquatic herb that spreads horizontally across hardscape, sending up broad ovate leaves on sturdy petioles. Growth is very slow, often one new leaf every few weeks..

What size pot to step anubias barteri var. barteri up to

Go up only one pot size — roughly 2–3 cm (about an inch) wider in diameter, no more. Anubias barteri var. barteri 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 barteri var. barteri 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 barteri var. barteri

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for anubias barteri var. barteri. 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 barteri var. barteri

Confirm it actually needs it. Slide anubias barteri var. barteri 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 barteri var. barteri 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, not planted in substrate, 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 barteri var. barteri 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 barteri var. barteri

Anubias barteri var. barteri wants rhizome attached to hardscape, not planted in substrate. Tie or glue the rhizome to driftwood or rock with the rhizome fully exposed. Burying the rhizome in substrate suffocates it and causes rot; only the roots should anchor into gravel or sand if substrate-grown. 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 barteri var. barteri — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot anubias barteri var. barteri?

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded for anubias barteri var. barteri. Only repot anubias barteri var. barteri 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, not planted in substrate. The key mistake is over-potting: a too-big pot stays wet and rots the roots.

What size pot does anubias barteri var. barteri need?

When is the best time of year to repot anubias barteri var. barteri?

Does anubias barteri var. barteri like to be root-bound?

Yes — anubias barteri var. barteri 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 barteri var. barteri after repotting?

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