Echinodorus Devils Eye
Plant Profile
Echinodorus 'Devil's Eye' gets its striking name from the distinct, high-contrast look of its leaves. What makes this hybrid sword stand out is its foliage color and pattern: newly emerging center leaves unfurl in shades of rich reddish-pink to bronze, marked by a deep red central vein running down the middle of each blade. As the leaves mature, they shift toward an olive-green tone while retaining that prominent dark midrib pattern. Maxing out around 12 inches tall, its moderate size keeps it manageable as a midground centerpiece in medium tanks or a background focal point in smaller aquariums. Like most sword plants, it is naturally hardy and easy to care for as long as it has a nutrient-dense substrate to root into.
Key Features & Notes
- Distinct dark red central vein creates a bold contrast down the length of each leaf blade.
- Emerging center foliage opens in deep reddish-pink and bronze tones before maturing to olive green.
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 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.
- 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!
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Echinodorus 'Devil's Eye' |
| Common Name(s) | Devil's Eye Sword, Echinodorus Devil Eye |
| Family | Alismataceae |
| Plant Type / Taxonomy | Rosette plant / Cultivar Hybrid |
| Care Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
| Light Requirement | Moderate to High |
| CO2 Requirement | Not required (Recommended) |
| Placement / Usage | Midground Centerpiece / Background Accent |
| Height / Size | 4–12 inches |
| Growth Rate | Moderate to Fast |
| Water Parameters | pH 6.5–7.5 |
| Propagation Method | Separate new plantlets from the root crown or adventitious shoots |
| Origin | Cultivated hybrid cultivar (Species origin: South America) |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What gives Echinodorus 'Devil's Eye' its unique look?
Its most notable feature is the thick, dark red vein running down the center of each leaf. Combined with young leaves opening in reddish-pink and bronze shades, it creates a striking visual contrast against surrounding green plants.
2. How do I maintain the bright red vein and leaf color on Echinodorus 'Devil's Eye'?
Giving the plant moderate-to-high lighting and keeping the substrate rich in nutrients, especially iron, helps keep the central vein defined and encourages vibrant color on newly emerging leaves.
3. Can Echinodorus 'Devil's Eye' grow without CO2 injection?
Yes, it grows well in low-tech setups without pressurized CO2. As long as it has good substrate nutrition and decent lighting, it will grow consistently and maintain its unique leaf markings.