Echinodorus species Plant Profile

Amazon sword plants (Echinodorus species) have been available in the aquarium hobby for many years, as they are a fairly easy plant to keep as long as they are provided with sufficient light and nutrients. The most common naturally occurring variations in the hobby is E. bleheri, which is a very nice plant that can get to be 12 inches tall or more. Other wild varieties often seen are E. radicans, and E. horemanii. Both of these will grow out of the tank if left untended, and leaves can reach 3 feet in length. Family: Alismataceae Common Name: Amazon Sword Plant Maximum Height: 8 inches to 30 inches Leaf Size: 1 inch to 4 inches Stem Thickness: ¼ inch to ½ inch Light: Medium to High Temperature: 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit pH: 5.5 to 8.5 Origin: Central and South America Water Hardness: Soft to Moderate Nutrients: Heavy Feeder Relative Growth  Speed: Medium to Fast