Anubias Nana

Native to West Africa, Anubias barteri var. nana is a dwarf variety of the broader Anubias family that's become one of the most recognizable plants in the hobby. It stays compact, typically topping out around 10 to 15 centimeters, with short, rounded dark green leaves that emerge slowly from a creeping horizontal rhizome.

That slow growth is a feature, not a bug. Because new leaves take their time, algae can sometimes settle on older ones, especially under strong light, which is actually a reason to keep this plant in shadier spots where it naturally thrives.

Attach it to driftwood, lava rock, or aquarium decor using thread, fishing line, or gel-type super glue on the rhizome base. Never bury the rhizome in substrate or it will rot. Propagation is simple: when the rhizome gets long enough, cut it with clean scissors and attach the new piece separately.

It works beautifully in nano tanks, shrimp setups, and low-tech builds, and holds up well in tanks with goldfish or cichlids that would shred softer plants. Browsing planted tank builds online, you'll spot Anubias nana in almost every one.