Echinodorus Aflame Tissue Culture
Plant Profile
Echinodorus 'Aflame', also known as the Purple Knight Sword, is a cultivated rosette species valued for its dark, narrow foliage. Native to the tropical Western Hemisphere through its parent lineage, this sword plant produces long, slightly twisted leaves that range in color from deep bronze and dark violet-red to near-black purple under bright lighting. Reaching 4 to 12 inches in height, its compact rosette structure provides a high-contrast centerpiece in midground or background zones. While adaptable across various tank conditions, providing clean water parameters and a steady supply of iron and root nutrients helps maintain its deep purple-red coloration.
Tissue culture cups ensure your aquascape gets a super clean starting point. Lab-grown and fully sterile, it arrives without pests, snails, duckweed, or any unwanted algae. It’s the go-to option for anyone who wants peace of mind when adding fresh greenery to a carefully maintained setup.
Key Features & Notes
- Rare and sought-after cultivar displaying dramatic dark purple, deep crimson, and near-black leaves.
- Compact growth habit of 4 to 12 inches fits perfectly into midground centerpiece positions.
- Slow to moderate growth rate keeps its neat rosette shape stable and manageable over time.
Care & Planting Instructions
- Prep the plant by carefully removing the plantlets from the cup and rinsing away all sterile nutrient gel under lukewarm, dechlorinated water before mounting.
- Plant the roots deeply into your aquarium soil, keeping the central crown 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.
- Provide moderate to high lighting; while CO2 injection isn't strictly required, good lighting will enhance its reddish-brown colors. See our guide to growing red aquarium plants.
- Maintain stable water parameters to prevent leaf shedding during the initial transition period.
- Sword plants propagate through side shoots off of their leaves, which can be trimmed and replanted into the substrate. To control the size of your sword plant, you can remove the side shoots and older leaves.
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 'Aflame' |
| Common Name(s) | Aflame Sword, Echinodorus Aflame |
| Family | Alismataceae |
| Plant Type / Taxonomy | Rosette plant / Cultivar (Tissue Culture) |
| Care Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
| Light Requirement | Moderate to High |
| CO2 Requirement | Not required (Recommended for best color) |
| Placement / Usage | Midground Centerpiece / Background (in small tanks) |
| Height / Size | 4–12 inches |
| Growth Rate | Slow to Moderate |
| Water Parameters | pH 6.5–7.5 |
| Propagation Method | Separate new plantlets from the root crown or adventitious shoots |
| Origin | Cultivated cultivar (Species origin: South America) |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I achieve the deepest dark red and purple colors on Echinodorus 'Aflame'?
Provide high-intensity lighting directly over the plant, inject CO2, and supplement the root zone with iron-rich root tabs. Higher light and iron levels are essential for driving its leaves to develop deep burgundy, crimson, and near-black tones rather than reverting to olive green.
2. Is Echinodorus 'Aflame' suitable for nano aquariums or smaller midground spaces?
Yes, 'Aflame' is one of the more compact sword cultivars available, typically topping out around 4 to 12 inches. Because it grows at a slower pace than standard giant Amazon Swords, it functions beautifully as a midground centerpiece in standard tanks or a dramatic background plant in nano setups.
3. How do I prepare and plant tissue culture portions of Echinodorus 'Aflame'?
Gently remove the plant mass from the in vitro cup and wash away the clear nutrient gel under room-temperature water. Carefully separate the clump into individual plantlets and anchor their roots deeply into nutrient-rich soil using fine-tipped tweezers, making sure the leaf crown stays exposed above the substrate.