Description
Plant Profile
If you have a large tank that needs serious botanical presence, Echinodorus palaefolius is more than ready to step up. Naturally originating from marshy wetland habitats in South America, this giant sword species is famous for its massive scale and fast growth rate. In its submerged state, it produces long, elegant leaves that start out with a subtle reddish tint before deepening into rich, vibrant green foliage that arches toward the light. Because of its sheer size and rapid growth, it commands the background of medium-to-large aquariums, creating a lush jungle feel in no time. Alternatively, if you let it grow emersed or keep it in an open-top tank or paludarium, it transforms with broad, rounded leaves and will reward you with delicate white flowers floating above the waterline.
Key Features & Notes
Massive growth potential and fast growth rate make it a commanding focal point for large aquariums and tall backgrounds.
An extremely versatile species that thrives fully underwater or emersed in open-top tanks, where it often produces lovely white flowers.
Care & Planting Instructions
Prep the plant by removing it from the pot and clearing all rockwool from the roots.
Plant the roots deeply into your aquarium soil, keeping the central crown resting just above the substrate line to prevent rot.
All Echinodorus are heavy root feeders that rely on rich substrate nutrition; placing root tabs near the base supports steady, healthy leaf development.
Supplemental CO2 injection accelerates growth and encourages denser, fuller foliage, though the plant will still grow steadily in low-tech setups.
Maintain stable water parameters to prevent leaf shedding during the initial transition period.
Sword plants propagate through side shoots off of their leaves, which can be trimmed and replanted into the substrate. To control the size of your sword plant, you can remove the side shoots and older leaves.
Final size and leaf shape depend on whether the plant is grown fully submerged or emersed; please note that individual plants may vary based on tank conditions.
Quick Facts
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth!
Attribute
Specification
Scientific Name
Echinodorus palaefolius
Common Name(s)
Echinodorus Palaefolius, Mexican Sword
Family
Alismataceae
Plant Type / Taxonomy
Rosette plant
Care Difficulty
Easy
Light Requirement
Moderate to High
CO2 Requirement
Not required (Optional)
Placement / Usage
Background (or Emergent Feature)
Height / Size
10–20+ inches
Growth Rate
Fast
Water Parameters
pH 6.5–7.5
Propagation Method
Separate new plantlets from the root crown or adventitious shoots
Origin
South America
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I prune an Echinodorus when it grows too large?
Prune older or overgrown outer leaves individually near the root crown using sharp aquascaping scissors. Avoid cutting across leaf blades, as damaged leaf tips will turn brown rather than regrowing.
2. Can this background plant grow in low-tech aquariums without CO2?
Yes, this species thrives in low-tech aquariums without pressurized CO2, provided it receives adequate root supplementation and consistent lighting.
3. Why are the leaves on my new Echinodorus melting or turning yellow?
Sword plants are often grown emersed and shed their old emersed leaves when submerged to adapt to underwater growth. Keep water parameters stable and supply root tabs near the base to support new leaves.
