Description
Plant Profile
Echinodorus bleheri, aka the classic Amazon Sword, is one of the most popular and recognizable species in the freshwater aquarium hobby. It has vibrant, bright-to-deep green lanceolate foliage that arches outward in a full, symmetrical rosette. Each leaf features strong parallel venation and subtle, rippled margins, creating an architectural fan of greenery that anchors the background of planted tanks. First popularized in the mid-20th century under old trade names like Echinodorus paniculatus, it helped shape early aquascaping and remains a timeless staple across community aquariums worldwide. Thanks to its historical roots, timeless aesthetic, and forgiving nature under low-tech setups, it remains a quintessential favorite among aquarium plants for beginners.
Key Features & Notes
Classic lanceolate green foliage with prominent veins creates an unmistakable, lush backdrop.
Architectural rosette habit offers extensive coverage to fill open space in medium-to-large tanks.
Hardy and adaptable species that thrives across a wide range of water parameters without mandatory CO2.
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.
CO2 injection is optional, but it will encourage faster leaf production and denser foliage.
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 bleheri (syn. Echinodorus amazonicus)
Common Name(s)
Amazon Sword, Bleher’s Sword
Family
Alismataceae
Plant Type / Taxonomy
Rosette plant
Care Difficulty
Easy
Light Requirement
Moderate
CO2 Requirement
Not necessary (Optional)
Placement / Usage
Background (or Midground)
Height / Size
8–11 inches (Can grow up to 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.
