Live Aquarium Plant: Amazon Sword for Lush Background Coverage and Easy Care in Larger Planted Tanks

Give the background of a larger planted aquarium lush green coverage with an Amazon Sword. Echinodorus bleheri grows as a rosette of long, slightly wavy leaves, creating a substantial focal point while filling open space behind shorter plants.

This hardy, easy-care aquatic plant is a practical choice for aquarists who want strong growth without required CO2 injection. Plant it in nutrient-dense substrate, keep conditions stable, and prune older leaves or side shoots when its broad growth begins shading nearby plants.

Key Features

• Its long, ovoid green leaves have pointed tips and prominent veins, bringing natural texture and height to an aquascape background.
• The easy care level makes routine upkeep approachable, while moderate light supports dependable growth in a planted aquarium.
• CO2 injection is not necessary, simplifying the setup, though added CO2 and quality aquarium soil can encourage better growth.
• Fast growth and adventitious side shoots make propagation straightforward: trim the shoots and replant them in the substrate.
• This large-growing sword suits roomier aquariums; regular pruning controls its spread and prevents its leaves from restricting light to neighboring plants.
• It can grow either submersed or emersed, giving aquarists flexibility for different planted setups; emersed growth may produce white flowers.

Specifications

• Common name: Amazon Sword
• Botanical name: Echinodorus bleheri
• Family: Alismataceae
• Origin: South America
• Height: 4–20 inches
• pH range: 6.5–7.5
• Care level: Easy
• Light: Moderate
• CO2: Not necessary
• Growth rate: Fast
• Propagation: Adventitious shoots
• Available options: Pot, 3 Pot Package, or 5 Pot Package

Remove the plant from its pot and carefully clear the cotton from its roots before planting it in quality substrate. Avoid drastic aquarium changes, as unstable parameters can cause plant melt and rotting.