Echinodorus longiscapus (Echinodorus longiscapus) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Echinodorus grandiflorus var. longiscapus, Echinodorus sellowianus
Family
Alismataceae (water-plantain family)
Origin
Southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
40 cm
Temperature
16–26°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Care level
beginner
Lighting
Medium to good light; CO2 helps but is not essential

Care

A perennial sword plant from southern South America (Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina). It grows as a rosette of broad, oval leaves on long stalks, and also has land forms with much smaller leaves. The flower stems are 30–80 cm tall and carry white flowers 2.5–4 cm across. Wikipedia says it is grown as both a pond and an aquarium plant and is easy to keep in a wide range of water conditions and temperatures (that claim is not well referenced). Submerged leaf blades are around 9–11 cm long on stalks up to three times as long, so treat it as a midground to background plant for medium and large tanks. Plant it in a rich substrate and feed with root tablets. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Its range reaches into the subtropics, so it should cope with cooler water than most swords as well as normal tropical temperatures. Light and CO2 figures are general guidance for swords, not from the sources. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinodoruslongiscapus); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Wikipedia says it is propagated by division or from the plantlets that form on the flower stems, and that its seeds germinate freely. Divide the rhizome so each piece has leaves and roots, or cut off plantlets once they have rooted.

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. Its tolerance of cooler water means it can also go in unheated indoor tanks.

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

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