Amazon Sword

Echinodorus amazonicus — the 'Amazon Sword' — is one of the most recognizable aquarium plants, native to the Amazon River basin of South America. Its long, sword-shaped leaves radiate from a central rosette, and when positioned as a centerpiece in the background of a large aquarium it commands immediate attention. The root system is extremely vigorous, penetrating deeply into the substrate; nutrient-rich aquasoil and root tabs placed near the base reward the plant with dramatically larger, more robust foliage. CO2 supplementation is not required but accelerates growth and increases leaf size. Propagation via plantlet-bearing runners is straightforward. Broad water-parameter tolerance — accepting a wide range of pH and hardness values — makes it one of the most forgiving large aquarium plants available. Mature specimens can reach 50 cm or more, so tank dimensions should guide species selection.

Root tabs