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
A sword plant that grows in the mud of stream banks from Cuba and Mexico through Central America to Guyana, Venezuela, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay. It forms a rosette of leaf blades about 18–24 cm long and 2–9 cm wide (land forms are smaller), with flower stems 35–120 cm long. Wikipedia lists Echinodorus martii among its synonyms. It needs a deep, nutrient-rich substrate and strong light, and benefits from added CO2. It can grow submerged or emersed, so it also suits a paludarium. Use it as a background plant in larger tanks and feed it with root tablets. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinodorussubalatus); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.
Breeding
The sources do not describe propagation. 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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