A Anubias coffeefolia either thrives or melts within the first month, and the difference is almost always down to three things you can control. The Anubias coffeefolia Anubias coffeefolia is a workhorse plant for a reason: it tolerates a wide range of conditions and still looks good doing it.

At a glance

Lightlow
Temperature22 to 28 °C
pH6.0 to 7.5
Height10 to 20 cm
CO₂not required
Growthslow

Planting

Plant Anubias coffeefolia with the crown or rhizome clear of the substrate — burying it rots the base. In a 30-gallon tank, position it mid-ground or background depending on its height. Weaker setups do fine; pair it with our mystery snail care: the big, friendly apple snail guide for a layered look.

Light and CO₂

Run 9 hours of light a day on a timer to avoid algae swings. Anubias coffeefolia grows under low light and not required, though a small, steady dose of liquid fertiliser every 2 weeks pushes denser growth.

Propagation

Split rooted offsets from the rhizome.

Common issues

Yellowing lower leaves usually mean a nutrient gap, not too little light. Trim dying leaves at the base, keep nitrates around 10 to 20 ppm, and avoid moving the plant every week — a solid blackwater tank setup guide explains why stability beats tinkering.

Low-light reality

Under low light the Anubias coffeefolia grows slower and stays compact, which is ideal for a low-tech tank. Run 9 hours of light on a timer and skip CO₂; a light liquid fertiliser every few weeks is enough.