Echinodorus Bleheri Mother Pot
Plant Profile
Echinodorus bleheri, universally recognized as the iconic Amazon Sword, is one of the most quintessential background species in the hobby. Characterized by wide, lance-shaped leaves with distinct parallel venation and slightly rippled edges, it forms a dense, architectural rosette that serves as an anchor for planted displays. Each oversized pot contains 2 to 4+ mature plants and delivers instant volume, tall reach, and dense coverage for medium to large aquariums. Its remarkable adaptability to varied water conditions and forgiving nature under low-tech setups solidify its reputation as a classic staple among aquarium plants for beginners.
Key Features & Notes
- Broad, vibrant green foliage with prominent venation provides classic, sweeping background structure.
- Hardy rosette habit thrives across a wide range of water parameters without requiring pressurized CO2.
- Amazon sword plants will grow submersed or emersed. Emersed plants produce lovely white flowers.
Care & Planting Instructions
- Prep the plant by removing it from the pot and clearing all rockwool from the roots.
- Plant the roots deeply into your aquarium soil, keeping the crown of the plant resting just above the substrate line to prevent rot.
- All Echinodorus are heavy root feeders that rely on rich substrate nutrition; placing root tabs near the base supports steady, healthy leaf development.
- Supplemental CO2 injection accelerates growth and encourages denser, fuller foliage, though the plant will still grow steadily in low-tech setups.
- Maintain stable water parameters to prevent leaf shedding during the initial transition period.
- Final size and coloration depend entirely on your specific aquarium conditions; please note that photos are a representation, and individual plants may vary.
Quick Facts
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth!
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Echinodorus bleheri (syn. Echinodorus amazonicus) |
| Common Name(s) | Amazon Sword, Bleher's Sword Mother Pot |
| Family | Alismataceae |
| Plant Type / Taxonomy | Rosette plant |
| Care Difficulty | Easy |
| Light Requirement | Moderate |
| CO2 Requirement | Not necessary (Optional) |
| Placement / Usage | Background |
| Height / Size | 10–20+ inches |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Water Parameters | pH 6.5–7.5 |
| Propagation Method | Separate new plantlets from the root crown or adventitious shoots |
| Origin | South America |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I prune an Echinodorus when it grows too large?
Prune older or overgrown outer leaves individually near the root crown using sharp aquascaping scissors. Avoid cutting across leaf blades, as damaged leaf tips will turn brown rather than regrowing.
2. Can this background plant grow in low-tech aquariums without CO2?
Yes, this species thrives in low-tech aquariums without pressurized CO2, provided it receives adequate root supplementation and consistent lighting.
3. Why are the leaves on my new Echinodorus melting or turning yellow?
Sword plants are often grown emersed and shed their old emersed leaves when submerged to adapt to underwater growth. Keep water parameters stable and supply root tabs near the base to support new leaves.