Amazon sword (Echinodorus amazonicus) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Amazon sword, Echinodorus grisebachii (current name), Echinodorus grisebachii 'Amazonicus', Echinodorus bleheri, Echinodorus parviflorus
Family
Alismataceae (water-plantain family)
Origin
Cuba, Central America and South America south to Brazil and Bolivia
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
60 cm
Temperature
22–28°C
pH
6–7.5
Care level
beginner
Lighting
Low to medium light; CO2 not needed but helps

Care

The Amazon sword is one of the best-known aquarium plants. Wikipedia now treats Echinodorus amazonicus as a synonym of Echinodorus grisebachii, along with E. bleheri (strictly E. bleherae) and E. parviflorus, so this page's name is out of date. Tropica sells the closely related broad-leaved form as E. grisebachii 'Bleherae'. It forms a large rosette of narrow to oval, bright green leaves, 40–60 cm long on triangular stalks, and makes a classic centrepiece for the background or middle of a large tank. Prune old outer leaves so it does not shade plants beneath. Swords like a deep, nutrient-rich substrate and root tabs; strong light and CO2 give faster growth, but this one copes with modest light. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinodorusgrisebachii); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinodorus); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Submerged plants send up flower stems that produce plantlets instead of flowers; let them root, then cut them free and plant them. Large plants can also be divided at the rhizome. Emersed plants kept humid flower and set seed.

Compatibility and tank mates

Generally safe with community fish, angelfish and discus. Large cichlids and goldfish may uproot young plants or eat soft new leaves; snails may nibble old leaves.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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