Large-leaved amazon sword (Echinodorus macrophyllus) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Alisma macrophyllum, Sagittaria palifolia var. macrophylla
Family
Alismataceae (water-plantain family)
Origin
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
Good light; CO2 helps but is not essential

Care

A large sword plant from Brazil and Bolivia with broad, heart-shaped to oval leaf blades from about 6.5 cm up to 30 cm long, carried on stalks roughly twice the length of the blade. It flowers on branched stems with white blooms. Wikipedia describes it as easy and a good specimen plant for big aquariums. Give it plenty of room in the background, a rich substrate and strong light; in small tanks it tends to push its leaves out of the water, and those emersed leaves need humid air. Feed with root tablets near the rhizome. It grows best at tropical temperatures but will adapt to cooler water if acclimatised, growing smaller and more slowly. Water chemistry is not critical. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinodorusmacrophyllus); 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. It also flowers and sets small seeds (achenes), but plantlets and division are the practical routes.

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. Too big for nano tanks.

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

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