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UNS Foresta Paludarium Plant Mat - Shop Paludarium Plants | Glass Aqua

Foresta Mat - Anubias Nana & Christmas Moss

$14.99 USD
Usually ships in 1-2 business days from our fulfillment center
READ ME: Our aquarium plants vary in growth forms and will require time to transition to submerged or emersed conditions. We do our best to clean and inspect all plants prior to shipping but do not guarantee them to be snail free unless tissue culture is purchased.

Tissue culture plants are cultivated in sterile lab settings ensuring your plant is free from pests, snails and algae! These are young specimen that are grown in emersed forms. Gel should always be removed prior to planting.

Live plants are susceptible to stress and damage from transit. - This may appear in the form of minimal melt, leaf loss, cosmetic damage, etc. Refunds or replacements will not be issued for plants with viable root systems or that die out of our care.

This product qualifies for FREE SHIPPING!

Anubias plants are a wonderful choice for beginner aquarists!
Pair this preplanted mat with your Ultum Nature Systems Foresta Integrated Paludarium!
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Ultum Nature Systems pre-planted Foresta Mat feature a fibrous texture that retains the ideal amount of water to support attached plants while remaining permeable for essential air flow and healthy root growth. These mats are ready tto go and pair perfect with the Ultum Nature Systems Foresta Integrated Paludarium or any planted setup project. Pair it with Foresta Line to attach additional aquatic and terrestrial plants.

Anubias Barteri var. Nana or simply just Anubias Nana is well-known in the planted tank hobby for being one of the hardiest aquarium plant options. Like other Anubias, Anubias Nana is tolerant of a wide range of aquarium conditions and will adapt to most environments it is placed in. We recommend Anubias to aquascapers who are in search of easy aquatic plants that do not require CO2 injection but are as equally beautiful when compared to some of the more finicky aquatic plant species available in the hobby. Anubias has a well-earned bullet-proof reputation, but will appreciate a well-maintained environment with clean water, CO2 injection and low to medium lighting.

Size: 4 x 4"
Photo below of the Ultum Nature Systems Foresta 35E Integrated Paludarium

Common Name Anubias Nana
Anubias Barteri Nana
Care Easy
Lighting Low to Medium
Propagation Separate rhizome
Growth Rate Slow
Leaf Size Varies

A Complete Guide to Aquatic Epiphytes & Rhizomes

Aquarium epiphytes are a unique type of plant that don’t grow like typical rooted plants. Instead of growing straight down from their roots, they sprout new leaves and roots from a thick, horizontal stem called a rhizome. This stem acts as the plant’s central hub, sending leaves upward and roots downward at the same time.


The term rhizome plant refers to a wide variety of plants that share the same structure and growing style. Some popular types are Anubias, Bucephalandra and Java Fern. If you’re looking to add any of these to your aquascape, keep reading to learn how to plant and attach them properly, the best tools and techniques to use, spot and address common issues and how to care for them long-term.

Wedged Anubias Chili Jalapeno naturally rooted to hardscape after a year

How to Plant and Attach Aquarium Epiphytes

Planting aquatic epiphytes are a little different from working with stem or rosette plants—and that’s what makes them beginner-friendly. Instead of being planted in substrate, they grow best when attached to natural materials like aquarium driftwood, stones or other decor.

One of the most common mistakes is burying the rhizome in soil or sand. While it may seem counterintuitive, doing this can lead to rot, eventually killing the plant. The rhizome needs to stay exposed to light and water flow for good health. Here are the best methods for planting and attaching.

Bucephalandra Red Mini Popular Aquarium Plant for Planted Tank

Tie it down: Use aquarium-safe thread or clear fishing line to gently secure it to your desired surface. Over time, its roots will grow over the thread and naturally secure the plant in place. We like to use green cotton thread as it blends in a little better and will eventually disappear. Once the plant self-attaches, you can manually remove the thread if preferred.

Glue it in place: Apply a small amount of aquarium-safe super glue (cyanoacrylate) directly to the desired surface. The gel-type is preferred for this application. Press the rhizome gently onto the glue and hold it for a few seconds. Remember! A little goes a long way—using excess glue can suffocate the plant and leave unsightly residue since it cures white underwater! Once it holds firm, we recommend placing it in a good spot that receives good flow and light.

Wedge it into hardscape gaps: Most aquarium decor such as driftwood and stones often feature great texture and natural crevices that are perfect for epiphytic plants. Find a good spot and tuck it in gently. The plant will slowly anchor itself over time! This is the most natural method and our favorite even if it may take a little longer. (Let nature unfold ;D)

Lighting, Care & Growth Tips for Freshwater Epiphytes

Now that you know how to attach them, let’s talk about caring for them and propagation. These plants have a solid reputation for being easy to grow and maintain.

Lighting: Most epiphytic plants are slow-growing and keeping lighting gentle and consistent is key to maintaining healthy growth and avoiding algae issues. *They can also thrive in high-tech aquariums with CO2 injection and strong lighting. However, these tanks usually include faster-growing plants that help outcompete algae and keep the environment balanced.

Maintenance: These plants don’t require frequent pruning, but regular maintenance and monitoring keeps them healthy and growing full. Trim yellowing or melting leaves at the base using sharp aquascaping scissors. Gently remove any debris or algae buildup with a soft-bristle brush. (We like using a toothbrush!)

Propagation: These are some of the easiest aquarium plants to propagate. Simply cut the rhizome into sections. Each section should have some roots and a few healthy leaves for best results. Use clean, sharp aquascaping tools—a dull blade can crush or damage the plant tissue. Once you have your sections, choose your favorite method for reattaching.

Bucephalandra Red Mini Popular Aquarium Plant for Planted Tank

Bucephalandra and Anubias self-attached to driftwood

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even though they're are hardy, issues can pop up—especially in newly setup planted tanks. Here’s how to spot common problems and what you can do to fix them:

Rhizome Rot
Symptoms:
smelly, mushy, soft or dark rhizome
Causes: The rhizome is buried, overglued or tied too tightly
What you can do: Inspect the rhizome for healthy sections. Remove any affected parts, replant and monitor its condition.

Yellow, Holes or Melting Leaves
Symptoms:
Leaves become translucent or discolored
Causes: Tank isn’t fully cycled, water quality issues, lack of nutrients, natural aging
What you can do: Remove affected leaves. Check water parameters. If needed, provide a gentle aquarium liquid fertilizer and allow plants time to adjust.

Algae on Leaves
Symptoms:
Green, brown or black fuzzy buildup on leaf edges
Causes: Strong lighting, poor circulation, or excess nutrients
What you can do: Reduce lighting intensity or duration. Clean your filter to ensure good flow. Remove visible algae and perform consistent water changes.

BEFORE AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER

Java Fern 'Trident Mini' wedged in between Malaysian Driftwood after 8 months of growth with CO2 injection

And that’s a wrap! Aquatic epiphytes are some of the best beginner-friendly options in the aquarium hobby. They’re easy to work with, come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and are incredibly forgiving. No matter your skill level, aquarium rhizome plants are sure to become a staple. Now that you know how to identify, plant, care for and troubleshoot issues that may arise, all that’s left is choosing the right ones for your aquascape. Still deciding? Check out our full collection or reach out—we’re always happy to help.

Shop Planted Tank Epiphytes
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Shipping, Returns and Refunds

Shipping
Orders are typically processed within 1-2 business days M-F. However, additional time may be required during peak seasons and federal holidays. For orders containing live plants, we exercise extra caution and assess factors such as travel distance and weather to ensure safe transit.

To avoid delays, please ensure all order information is accurate and complete. We cannot offer refunds and are not responsible for orders shipped to incorrect addresses due to errors in provided information. Once an order has been shipped, delivery times are determined by the carrier and are outside of our control. On average, shipments arrive within 2–5 business days, excluding weekends and holidays. For more information, please visit our FAQ page.

Returns
If you are not satisfied with your purchase, please contact us within 48 hours of delivery. Approved returns must be shipped back within 14 days of approval. Returned items must be unused, unopened, and in their original packaging. Specific return requirements, if applicable, will be listed on the product’s page. For more information, please visit our FAQ page.

Refunds
No worries, we’ll take care of everything as long as it fits the guidelines above.Most answers to general questions can be found on our FAQ page.