Echinodorus martii (Echinodorus martii) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Echinodorus subalatus, Echinodorus intermedius, Alisma subalatum
Family
Alismataceae (water-plantain family)
Origin
Cuba, Mexico, Central America, Guyana, Venezuela, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay
Water
freshwater
Temperature
22–28°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
Strong light; added CO2 recommended

Care

Echinodorus martii is the name this plant was listed under, but Wikipedia now treats it as a synonym of Echinodorus subalatus; the page key keeps the listed name. In the hobby the name martii has also been used for a ruffled-leaved sword sold as Echinodorus major (see that page), so plants offered under this name may not all be the same thing. As E. subalatus it grows in mud along stream banks from Cuba and Mexico through Central America to Venezuela, Guyana, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay. It forms a rosette of leaf blades about 18–24 cm long and 2–9 cm wide (smaller on land forms), with flower stems 35–120 cm long. It needs a deep, nutrient-rich substrate and strong light, and grows better with added CO2. It can be grown submerged or emersed, so it also suits a paludarium. Treat it as a background plant for larger tanks. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinodorusmartii); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinodorussubalatus); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

The sources do not describe how it is propagated. 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.

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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