Overview & Origin
The Amazon Sword (Echinodorus bleheri, also sold as Echinodorus amazonicus) belongs to the family Alismataceae and originates from the river systems of Brazil, Peru, and Colombia in South America. In the wild, these plants grow in shallow, nutrient-rich waters along riverbanks where they can grow both submerged and emersed, sometimes producing flower stalks that extend above the water surface.
In the aquarium hobby, the Amazon Sword has been a staple since the early days of planted tanks. Its large, sword-shaped leaves create a lush, jungle-like backdrop that provides shelter for fish and adds dramatic visual impact to any setup.
How to Plant Amazon Sword
Unlike epiphytic plants like Java Fern, the Amazon Sword is a heavy root feeder that must be planted in substrate. The crown of the plant (where leaves emerge) should sit just above the substrate surface — burying it too deep will cause rot.
Tips for planting:
- Substrate choice: Nutrient-rich substrates like Fluval Stratum, ADA Amazonia, or Eco-Complete are ideal. If using inert gravel, supplement heavily with root tabs.
- Root tabs: Push 1–2 root tabs into the substrate near the plant's roots every 4–8 weeks. Amazon Swords are heavy feeders and will quickly deplete nutrients from the substrate.
- Spacing: Give each plant at least 10–12 inches of space. A mature Amazon Sword can reach 12–20 inches wide.
- Placement: Best as a background or centerpiece plant due to its large size. In tanks under 20 gallons, it can quickly outgrow the space.
Lighting Requirements
Amazon Swords perform best under moderate lighting — roughly 30–50 PAR at substrate level, or 2–3 watts per gallon with a color temperature of 6,000–7,000K. They can survive in low light but will grow more slowly and produce smaller, paler leaves.
Under high light conditions, growth accelerates significantly, but you may need to dose more fertilizer to keep up with demand and prevent algae from colonizing the large leaf surfaces.
Water Parameters
- Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
- pH: 6.5–7.5
- KH: 3–8 dKH
- GH: 3–8 dGH
- Nitrate: 10–30 ppm
Amazon Swords prefer slightly soft to moderately hard water with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. They are tolerant of a reasonable range of conditions but may show slower growth in very hard, alkaline water.
CO2 & Fertilization
CO2 injection is not required but dramatically improves growth rate and leaf size. Without CO2, Amazon Swords grow at a moderate pace; with injection, they can produce a new leaf every few days.
Fertilization is critical for this plant:
- Root tabs: Essential — Amazon Swords draw the majority of their nutrients through their extensive root system. Dose every 4–8 weeks.
- Liquid fertilizer: A comprehensive liquid fertilizer supplements what the roots can't get. Dose iron-rich fertilizers for the deepest green coloration.
- Iron deficiency: Pale, yellowish new leaves indicate iron deficiency. Supplement with Seachem Flourish Iron or a similar product.
Propagation
Amazon Swords propagate by sending out long runners (flower stalks) that produce adventitious plantlets at intervals along their length. A single healthy plant can produce dozens of baby plants on a single runner.
Once a plantlet develops 4–5 leaves and visible roots (usually 2–3 inches tall), you can clip it from the runner and plant it elsewhere. Alternatively, bend the runner down to the substrate and let the plantlets root on their own before severing the connection.
Mature plants may also send up flower stalks above the water surface, producing small white flowers in open-top aquariums.
Common Problems & Solutions
- Melting after purchase: Amazon Swords are almost always grown emersed at farms. When submerged, the round emersed leaves will melt back and be replaced by longer, thinner submersed leaves. This is completely normal — don't remove the plant. New growth will appear within 2–4 weeks.
- Yellow leaves: Usually an iron or general nutrient deficiency. New yellow leaves specifically point to iron deficiency. Add root tabs and supplement with liquid iron.
- Small, stunted leaves: Insufficient light or nutrients. Increase lighting and ensure root tabs are placed regularly.
- Algae on leaves: The large, slow-growing leaves are prone to algae. Add nerite snails or otocinclus catfish as a biological cleanup crew, and ensure lighting duration doesn't exceed 8 hours per day.
- Outgrowing the tank: In well-fertilized tanks with CO2, Amazon Swords can grow very large. Regularly remove outer leaves at the base to control size and encourage new growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Amazon Swords get?
In aquariums, Amazon Swords typically grow 12–20 inches tall with leaves 2–3 inches wide. In optimal conditions with CO2 and strong fertilization, they can exceed 20 inches. Not recommended for tanks under 20 gallons.
Do Amazon Swords need root tabs?
Yes — Amazon Swords are heavy root feeders and root tabs are essentially required unless you're using a very nutrient-rich aquasoil. Without root fertilization, the plant will slowly decline.
Can Amazon Swords grow in gravel?
Yes, but you must supplement with root tabs regularly. Inert gravel contains no nutrients, so the plant relies entirely on the tabs you provide. Nutrient-rich substrates are preferable.
Why are my Amazon Sword leaves turning transparent?
This is usually the emersed-to-submersed transition melt. It's normal and temporary. Leave the plant alone, ensure good lighting and fertilization, and new submersed growth will replace the melting leaves.