South-East Asia, from Bangladesh, Yunnan and Myanmar to the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
120 cm
Temperature
18–28°C
Care level
expert
Lighting
Low to medium light (grown out of water)
Care
Warning: Aglaonema simplex is a land (or at most bog) plant, not a true aquatic plant. Kept fully underwater it slowly weakens and dies, often over several months, so it is best grown emersed in a paludarium or with only its roots in water. Aglaonema simplex, sold as Malayan sword, is a shrubby perennial aroid of wet tropical forests and freshwater swamps, from sea level to about 1500 m. It grows 0.2–1.2 m tall on single upright stems with spirally arranged, dark green oval leaves. Grow it in the moist land area of a paludarium, or with only its roots in water. Like all Aglaonema it contains calcium oxalate crystals, which are poisonous and irritant. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aglaonemasimplex); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.
Breeding
Stem cuttings root readily in moist compost or in water.
Compatibility and tank mates
Do not sell or buy this as a true aquarium plant. It belongs in a paludarium, terrarium or on a windowsill with its roots in water, out of reach of fish.
Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.
About Aquatic-Auctions
Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.