Amazon Sword
Echinodorus grisebachii
A classic large rooted plant that creates a lush green backdrop in bigger tanks.
| Care Difficulty | Beginner |
| Lighting | Medium |
| CO2 Requirement | Optional |
| Growth Rate | Medium |
| Placement | Background |
Overview
A classic large rooted plant that creates a lush green backdrop in bigger tanks. Amazon Sword (Echinodorus grisebachii) is a beginner-level aquarium plant, making it a superb choice for beginners and low-tech tanks.
This guide covers everything you need to grow Amazon Sword successfully: its appearance and growth habit, lighting needs, whether it requires CO2, how to plant and propagate it, where to place it in your aquascape, and the common problems to avoid.
Appearance & Growth Habit
The Amazon sword is a heavy root-feeder that grows into an impressive bushy centrepiece. It needs a nutrient-rich substrate and root tabs to thrive.
It is classed as a medium grower, which means it demands patience, but also stays manageable and is less likely to outgrow its space and more prone to collecting algae if conditions are poor.
Lighting Requirements
Amazon Sword grows best under medium lighting. It needs strong, even light reaching the planting level, so invest in a good LED and keep the photoperiod controlled.
Run your lights on a timer for around 6-8 hours a day. Longer photoperiods rarely help plants and usually just feed algae, so increase light duration cautiously and watch for any green film appearing.
CO2 & Fertilisation
CO2 requirement: Optional. CO2 is optional - it will grow without it, but injection produces noticeably better results.
Either way, dose a balanced liquid fertiliser to supply the nutrients plants need from the water column, and push root tabs into the substrate beneath heavy root-feeders. Yellowing, holes or stunted leaves are usually a sign of a nutrient deficiency rather than disease.
Substrate & Planting
Plant in nutrient-rich substrate and supplement with root tabs. It grows large, so give it room in tanks 100L+. Remove old, melting or algae-covered leaves at the base. Propagates via runners and adventitious plantlets.
Placement in the Aquascape
Amazon Sword is typically used in the background of the aquarium. Give it room at the back, where its height creates a lush green backdrop and hides equipment.
Propagation
Propagation is simple: it spreads by runners, so just separate and replant the young plantlets once they have their own roots.
Sharing trimmings is one of the joys of the hobby - a single healthy plant can fill a tank over time and stock several more.
Common Problems
The most common issue is algae growing on the leaves, which usually points to too much light, too few nutrients or poor flow rather than a problem with the plant itself. Melting (leaves dissolving) after planting is normal as the plant converts to underwater growth - keep conditions stable and new growth will follow.
Avoid burying the crown or rhizome of plants that grow from one (it causes rot), keep flow and CO2/ferts consistent, and remove dying leaves promptly to keep the plant and water healthy.
Is Amazon Sword Right for Your Tank?
Amazon Sword is an easy, rewarding plant that suits almost any freshwater aquarium, including beginner and low-tech setups. Pair it with our other plant guides and aquascaping tutorials to build a lush, balanced planted tank.