Repotting guide

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

Also called dwarf Anubias, petite Anubias.

More about anubias barteri var. nana

About Anubias barteri var. nana

Anubias barteri var. nana · also called dwarf Anubias, petite Anubias · tropical

Anubias barteri var. nana is the compact, hardy dwarf form of barteri, a staple of low-tech aquascapes. Its small leathery leaves grow on a creeping rhizome attached to wood or rock, feeding from the water column under low light. Forgiving and nearly indestructible, it tolerates herbivorous fish and shrimp tanks alike.

Mature size: Leaves 3-6 cm long; mounds stay roughly 8-15 cm tall and spread along the rhizome.

Watch for — Algae buildup: Its slow, long-lived leaves accumulate green-spot and black-beard algae under strong light. Lower light and add gentle water movement.

How to tell anubias barteri var. nana needs repotting

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

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded. Anubias barteri var. nana 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. Low, creeping rhizomatous aquatic herb forming dense compact mats of small leaves. Spreads slowly across hardscape, staying under 15 cm tall, which makes it a reliable mid-ground and foreground plant..

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

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

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

Confirm it actually needs it. Slide anubias barteri var. nana 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. nana 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 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 barteri var. nana 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. nana

Anubias barteri var. nana wants rhizome attached to hardscape, not buried. Anchor the rhizome to driftwood or stone with thread or cyanoacrylate gel, keeping the rhizome exposed. Roots may grip gravel or sand, but burying the rhizome causes it to 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 barteri var. nana — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot anubias barteri var. nana?

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded for anubias barteri var. nana. Only repot anubias barteri var. nana 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 buried. The key mistake is over-potting: a too-big pot stays wet and rots the roots.

What size pot does anubias barteri var. nana need?

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

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

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

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