Anubias afzelii

Anubias afzelii, commonly known as the Congo Anubias, is a fantastic plant for anyone starting in the aquarium hobby. Its tough, dark green, spear-shaped leaves make it a beautiful and durable addition to your tank. One of its best features is that you don't plant it in the gravel. Instead, you attach it to driftwood or rocks using fishing line or aquarium-safe glue. Be careful not to bury the thick, horizontal stem (called a rhizome), as this will cause the plant to rot.

This Anubias is not demanding at all. It does well in typical aquarium lighting and doesn't need any special CO2 gas injection to thrive. Because it grows very slowly, you won't need to prune it often, making it very low-maintenance. This slow growth also means it doesn't pull a lot of waste out of the water, so you still need a good filter. It's happy in a wide range of water conditions, making it compatible with most community fish like tetras, barbs, and livebearers. Its sturdy leaves can also stand up to plant-nibbling fish like some cichlids and goldfish, making it a more robust choice than delicate-stemmed plants.