Broadleaved amazon (Echinodorus bleheri) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Broad-leaved Amazon sword, Echinodorus grisebachii (current name), Echinodorus grisebachii 'Bleherae', Echinodorus bleherae, Echinodorus paniculatus (trade name), Amazon sword
Family
Alismataceae (water-plantain family)
Origin
Cuba, Central America and South America south to Brazil and Bolivia
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
50 cm
Temperature
22–28°C
pH
6–7.5
Care level
beginner
Lighting
Low light is enough; CO2 not needed

Care

Echinodorus bleheri is a misspelling of E. bleherae, which Wikipedia now treats as a synonym of Echinodorus grisebachii, along with E. amazonicus. Tropica sells it as E. grisebachii 'Bleherae'; it has also been sold as 'Paniculatus'. It is a broad-leaved Amazon sword, a solitary plant 20–50 cm tall for the background or as a centrepiece in larger tanks. It grows towards the light, so it copes with dim tanks, but should be pruned so its leaves do not shade plants beneath. Tropica rates it easy and suitable for beginners, with low light and CO2 needs; it benefits from a nutritious substrate. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinodorusgrisebachii); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Submerged plants send up flower stems that form plantlets instead of flowers; let these root, then cut them free and plant them. Large plants can also be divided at the rhizome. Emersed plants kept humid may flower and set seed, which can be sown on damp sand in warmth.

Compatibility and tank mates

Sword leaves are fairly tough, but large cichlids, goldfish and other diggers may uproot young plants or chew soft new leaves; root them well. Good with tetras, angelfish, discus and other tropical community fish. Snails may graze old leaves.

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

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