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How to Grow Anubias barteri 'White Marble'

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Anubias barteri 'White Marble'

Anubias barteri var. barteri 'White Marble'

aquatic plant

Anubias barteri 'White Marble' is a striking aquatic plant featuring deep green leaves heavily variegated with white or cream patches, creating a marbled appearance. This slow-growing rhizomatous plant is one of the most popular aquarium plants due to its hardiness and aesthetic appeal. It thrives in both freshwater aquariums and paludarium setups.

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Example Anubias barteri 'White Marble' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Anubias barteri 'White Marble'

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Anubias barteri 'White Marble'

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

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Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Moderate lighting, 8-10 hours daily; 2-3 watts per gallon recommended; tolerates low light but variegation improves with moderate lighting
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Water: Keep water column clean with regular 25-50% weekly water changes. Prefers stable conditions with minimal water parameter fluctuations. Does not require high CO2 but benefits from consistent nutrient dosing.
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Spacing: 6-8 inches between plants to allow for growth and water circulation inches
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Days to maturity: Indeterminate - slow-growing; establishes over 6-12 months
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Planting depth: Rhizome should be exposed or only partially buried; tie or weigh down with fishing line to hardscape (driftwood, rock) rather than burying

Soil

Type: Fine aquarium substrate (sand, fine gravel) or attached to hardscape; does not require planting in substrate
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Liquid fertilizers (macro and micronutrients) Root tabs optional if substrate-bound CO2 supplementation optional

Growth Stages

1

Establishment

2-4 weeks

Recently planted rhizome with 2-4 existing leaves; roots beginning to develop

Secure rhizome to hardscape with fishing line; provide stable water conditions (minimal water changes); avoid moving or disturbing; add root tabs if desired

2

Vegetative Growth

2-4 months

Rhizome anchors firmly; new leaves emerge from growing points; existing leaves become fuller; variegation pattern stabilizes

Dose liquid fertilizers 2-3 times weekly; perform regular water changes; maintain lighting schedule; remove any damaged or transparent leaves

3

Maturation

3-6 months

Plant develops multiple growing points; colony expands horizontally; leaves reach full size (3-5 inches long); marbling becomes more pronounced

Continue fertilization; allow rhizome to spread naturally; can divide rhizome if one or more growing points have developed roots; trim dead leaves

4

Flowering (rare)

1-2 weeks

Small cream-colored spadix flowers emerge above water line in emersed conditions; rarely occurs in fully submerged aquariums

Not essential for plant health; allows seed production in paludarium setups; hand-pollinate if seeds desired

5

Propagation/Division

Ongoing after 6+ months growth

Mature rhizome develops multiple growing points; can be divided into sections for propagation

Use sharp, sterilized blade to cut rhizome; ensure each section has at least one growing point and roots; allow cuts to heal 1-2 days before planting; new plants establish slowly

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Bucephalandra Java Fern Cryptocoryne Marimo Moss Ball Vallisneria Echinodorus Aponogeton

Avoid planting near:

Allelopathic plants that release toxins (rare in aquatic plants) Voracious fish that uproot plants (goldfish, plecos, cichlids)

Common Pests

  • Reduce water temperature, improve water circulation, increase water changes; remove affected tissue with sterilized tools; ensure rhizome is not buried; may require removing plant and treating separately

  • Increase light duration slightly if severe nutrient deficiency; reduce excess organic matter; add algae-eating fish (Amano shrimp, Siamese Algae Eaters); reduce phosphates/nitrates; spot-treat with hydrogen peroxide (1-2ml per 10 gallons)

  • Caused by sudden environmental changes; maintain stable water parameters (temp, pH, hardness); reduce transplant shock by acclimating slowly; improve water circulation; remove affected leaves

  • Remove manually; use snail traps; introduce predatory fish or invertebrates (assassin snails); quarantine new plants and substrates; dip plants in dilute potassium permanganate solution

Uses

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Aquarium Decoration & Aquascaping

Household

One of the most popular aquarium plants globally, valued for its stunning white marbling, resilience, and slow aesthetic growth. Ideal for creating natural layouts and foreground/midground focal points in freshwater planted tanks and biotope setups. [source]

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Fish & Invertebrate Habitat

Wildlife

Provides shelter, grazing surfaces, and oxygen production for aquarium fauna. Shrimp and fish use the rhizome structure for refuge; plants support beneficial bacteria colonization and biofilm growth for fry and invertebrates. [source]

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Water Quality Improvement

Household

Slow-growing plants absorb excess nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus) reducing algae growth, while leaves provide surface area for beneficial bacteria that stabilize water chemistry and convert waste products. [source]

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Paludarium & Terrarium Growing

Craft

Thrives in semi-aquatic conditions with exposed rhizomes and emergent leaves. Popular in paludariums, riparium walls, and orchid-style displays where humid air and moist substrate are maintained. [source]

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Traditional Medicine Use

Medicinal

Anubias species have been used in West African traditional medicine; the genus is documented in ethnobotanical research for potential antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, though modern clinical evidence is limited. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Not harvested in traditional sense. Propagate by dividing rhizome when mature (6+ months); ensure 1-2 growing points per division with established roots. Can trim yellowed or damaged leaves with sharp scissors for aesthetics. Remove mature leaves occasionally to promote new growth and variegation.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Anubias barteri 'White Marble' is named after the variegation pattern resembling white-veined marble stone; this coloration is genetic and stable, not caused by variegation viruses like in some terrestrial plants.
  • 🌱 The genus Anubias is native to West and Central Africa (Congo basin and Cameroon); named after Anubis, the Egyptian god of the afterlife, due to the plant's association with swampy, dark environments.
  • 🌱 Unlike most aquatic plants, Anubias is not an aquatic plant that evolved from terrestrial ancestors—it is a semi-aquatic plant that naturally grows on rocks and tree roots in rainforest streams, making it exceptionally hardy in submerged conditions.
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