Spade-leaf sword (Echinodorus radicans) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Aquarius cordifolius, Echinodorus cordifolius, Creeping burhead, Radicans sword
Family
Alismataceae (water-plantain family)
Origin
Southern and central USA, Mexico, the West Indies, Central America and South America south to Paraguay
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
100 cm
Temperature
18–28°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
Good light; CO2 recommended for strong growth

Care

Echinodorus radicans is an older name for the spade-leaf sword, now Aquarius cordifolius (formerly Echinodorus cordifolius); the page key keeps the listed name. It grows in marshes, swamps, ditches and ponds from Texas, Florida and Iowa through Mexico, the West Indies and Central America to Paraguay. It is a stout perennial up to about 1 m tall with heart- to spade-shaped leaves. In nature most leaves stand above the water. In aquariums it is a common background or specimen plant for large, deep tanks. Give it a rich substrate, good light and CO2 for strong growth, and trim leaves that reach the surface if you want to keep it submerged. Tropica sells a compact form, Echinodorus cordifolius 'Fluitans'. Emersed plants can attract aphids. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Its range reaches temperate North America, so it tolerates cooler water than many swords. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinodoruscordifolius); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Emersed plants flower and set seed readily, and the seed can be sown in shallow water; most commercial plants are grown emersed on nurseries. Plantlets on the flower stems and division of the rhizome also work.

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. It also suits warm-climate ponds and pond margins.

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

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