Black amazon sword (Echinodorus parviflorus) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Echinodorus grisebachii, Echinodorus amazonicus, Echinodorus bleherae, Amazon sword plant
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
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Care level
beginner
Lighting
Medium light; CO2 helps but is not essential

Care

Echinodorus parviflorus is listed by Wikipedia as a synonym of the Amazon sword, Echinodorus grisebachii, and 'Parviflorus' and 'Black' are trade forms of it. The page key keeps the listed name. The form sold as the black amazon sword is a compact plant with dark-veined leaves. The Amazon sword (Echinodorus grisebachii, also called E. amazonicus) grows wild in Cuba, Central America and South America as far south as Brazil and Bolivia. Submerged leaves are lance-shaped to narrowly oval and 40–60 cm long on flattened stalks, so it is a classic centrepiece or background plant for medium and large tanks. Plant it in a rich substrate with the crown above the surface and add root tablets every few months; swords feed heavily through their roots. Medium light is enough, and CO2 makes growth faster and larger. Tropica sells the closely related E. grisebachii 'Bleherae' and 'Tropica' forms. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinodorusparviflorus); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Swords of this group are usually increased from the young plantlets that form on the flower stems (peg the stem down or cut the plantlet off once it has a few leaves and roots) or by cutting the rhizome into pieces that each have leaves and roots. A healthy plant in an aquarium often sends up a flower stem that produces plantlets without flowering.

Compatibility and tank mates

The leaves are tough and most fish and snails leave them alone. Large cichlids and goldfish may dig the plant up while it is rooting, so weigh the base down with stones at first. Suits tropical community tanks; the large leaves give shy fish cover.

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

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