Echinodorus Red Devil
Plant Profile
Bringing ruby-red intensity to a manageable scale, Echinodorus 'Red Devil' is a gorgeous hybrid cultivar that proves you don't need a massive 20-inch sword plant to make a bold statement. Produced by crossing multiple Echinodorus species, this compact variant tops around 12 inches tall, making it a fantastic midground centerpiece in medium-to-large tanks or a prominent background feature in nano setups. Newly unfurled leaves emerge in brilliant shades of deep ruby red and rich crimson before slowly maturing into a dark, olive-green base with reddish-brown undertones. Hardy, undemanding, and forgiving across various water conditions, it delivers eye-catching color contrast without requiring complicated high-tech care.
Key Features & Notes
- Compact height fits seamlessly into midground or small background zones.
- A hardy hybrid cultivar that provides intense color contrast while remaining easy for beginners to maintain.
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, ensuring the central crown sits 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 leaf development and rich pigmentation.
- Provide moderate-to-high lighting and consistent iron fertilization to achieve the deepest ruby-red leaf tones.
- Supplemental CO2 is recommended to maximize leaf color and growth rate, though the plant will still grow reliably in low-tech setups.
- Final size and coloration depend on your specific tank 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!
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Echinodorus 'Red Devil' |
| Common Name(s) | Red Devil Sword, Echinodorus Red Devil |
| Family | Alismataceae |
| Plant Type / Taxonomy | Rosette plant / Cultivar Hybrid |
| Care Difficulty | Easy |
| Light Requirement | Moderate to High |
| CO2 Requirement | Recommended for best red tones (Optional) |
| Placement / Usage | Midground Centerpiece / Background (in small tanks) |
| Height / Size | 5–12 inches |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Water Parameters | pH 5.0–8.0 |
| Propagation Method | Separate new plantlets from the root crown or adventitious shoots |
| Origin | Cultivated hybrid cultivar (Species origin: South America) |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I maintain and enhance the ruby-red color on Echinodorus 'Red Devil'?
Provide moderate-to-high lighting and supplement the substrate with iron-rich root tabs. While CO2 injection is optional, combining good light with carbon and iron dosing encourages newly unfurling leaves to display their richest crimson and ruby tones.
2. Can Echinodorus 'Red Devil' grow in smaller aquariums?
Yes, unlike traditional Amazon Swords that quickly reach 20+ inches, 'Red Devil' is a dwarf-to-medium cultivar capping out around 12 inches. It works wonderfully as a midground focal point in large tanks or a background anchor in nano aquariums.
3. Why are the inner leaves ruby red while the outer leaves look dark green?
This color shift is a natural characteristic of 'Red Devil.' Freshly emerging leaves unfurl in bright ruby red, gradually darkening into deep olive green as they mature toward the outer ring of the rosette.