A model for double-diffusive convection in an anisotropic porous layer with a constant throughflow is explored, with penetrative convection being simulated via an internal heat source. The validity of both the linear instability and global nonlinear energy stability thresholds are tested using three dimensional simulation. Our results show that the linear threshold accurately predicts on the onset of instability in the steady state throughflow. However, the required time to arrive at the steady state increases significantly as the Rayleigh number tends to the linear threshold. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.