UK compost
What compost for anubias barteri var. barteri in the UK?
Anubias barteri var. barteri
More about anubias barteri var. barteri in the UK
Which compost anubias barteri var. barteri needs
For anubias barteri var. barteri the mix to buy is peat-free multipurpose compost. 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.In British garden centres the bagged growing medium is sold simply as “compost” (multipurpose, ericaceous, or loam-based John Innes), which is a different thing from the rotted garden “compost” you make in a heap — for a pot you want the bagged kind.
Peat-free compost
Buy peat-free. The sale of peat compost to home gardeners is being phased out across the UK, and the RHS recommends peat-free on environmental grounds. A good peat-free multipurpose grows anubias barteri var. barteri perfectly well; the one habit to change is watering — peat-free dries faster at the surface while still moist below, so check by feel a knuckle deep rather than trusting the look of the top.
Ericaceous or multipurpose?
Anubias barteri var. barteri is straightforward: an ordinary peat-free multipurpose compost is right. For a big specimen or a pot it will live in for years, mixing in some loam-based John Innes No.2 or No.3 adds weight and holds nutrients longer. Ericaceous compost is not needed unless a plant is specifically a lime-hater.
For the full recipe, pH and drainage detail (US wording), see the anubias barteri var. barteri soil & potting-mix guide.
Compost for Anubias barteri var. barteri in the UK — frequently asked questions
What compost should I use for anubias barteri var. barteri in the UK?
Use peat-free multipurpose compost. 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. In UK garden centres this is sold simply as "compost" — the bagged growing medium, not garden-made leaf-mould — so match the description above rather than a brand.
Can I use ordinary multipurpose compost for anubias barteri var. barteri?
Yes. A good peat-free multipurpose compost is exactly right for anubias barteri var. barteri. For a large or long-term pot you can mix in some John Innes No.2 or No.3 (loam-based) for extra weight and staying power.
Should the compost be peat-free?
Yes. Sales of peat compost to home gardeners are being phased out in the UK, and the RHS recommends peat-free for environmental reasons. Modern peat-free multipurpose composts grow anubias barteri var. barteri perfectly well — they dry a little faster at the surface, so check moisture by feel rather than by the look of the top.
Does anubias barteri var. barteri need grit or perlite added?
Not essential, but a couple of handfuls of perlite in the mix improves aeration and guards against overwatering — useful on a cool, damp British windowsill where compost stays wet longer.
What pot and drainage does anubias barteri var. barteri need?
Always a pot with drainage holes. Rhizome attached to hardscape, not planted in substrate. Stand it on a saucer, empty any water that collects after watering, and never leave the pot sitting in a full outer cover — waterlogged compost in a cool UK room is the commonest cause of root rot.
More anubias barteri var. barteri care
See the full anubias barteri var. barteri care guide, its UK watering and UK hardiness.