Amazon Sword
Echinodorus grisebachii
Also known as Sword Plant, Amazon Sword Plant, Narrow Leaf Amazon Sword, Echinodorus Amazon Sword
Plantae›Tracheophyta›Magnoliopsida›Alismatales›Alismataceae
📍 Amazon Basin, South America
The amazon sword is a staple background plant in community aquariums, producing broad lanceolate leaves that provide shelter for fish. It is a heavy feeder that benefits greatly from root tab fertilisers. Given adequate nutrients and moderate light, it will grow large and produce runner plantlets.
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by @isabellekaulback
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Tanks keeping this 🌿
Growing in 27 tanksCommunity tanks featuring Amazon Sword.
Compatible Livestock
Peaceful algae grazers that will not damage plant leaves and benefit from the shelter provided
Small, peaceful schooling fish that thrive in planted tanks and add visual interest without harming plants
Beneficial invertebrates that graze algae and detritus while leaving plant tissue untouched
Complementary foreground plant with similar care requirements and water parameters
Hardy companion plant that thrives in the same conditions and provides additional shelter
Common Diseases
Nutrient Deficiency (Iron/Macronutrient)
Yellowing of new leaves, stunted growth, pale or translucent leaf tissue, reduced vigor
Increase fertilizer dosing, add iron-specific supplements, ensure adequate lighting and CO₂; perform water tests to confirm deficiency
Algae Overgrowth on Leaves
Green, brown, or black algae coating leaf surfaces, reduced photosynthesis, leaf deterioration
Reduce light duration to 8–10 hours daily, increase water changes, add algae-eating fish (Otocinclus, Siamese Algae Eater), manually remove affected leaves
Root Rot
Blackened or mushy roots, foul odor from substrate, leaf yellowing and wilting despite adequate nutrients
Improve substrate aeration, reduce organic waste buildup, perform partial water changes, replace degraded substrate if severe; ensure adequate water circulation
Melting (Leaf Deterioration)
Rapid leaf dissolution, transparent or disintegrating foliage, plant collapse after planting
Maintain stable water parameters (pH 6.5–7.5, temperature 22–28°C), allow acclimation period of 2–4 weeks, increase fertilization and CO₂ if available
Varieties
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Quick Facts
- co2
- Beneficial but not essential
- light
- Medium (50–80 PAR)
- placement
- Background
- substrate
- Nutrient-rich substrate; root tabs recommended
- growth rate
- Moderate
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.5–7.5
- nitrate
- <30 ppm
- hardness
- 8–15 dGH
- temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)
Legality
No state or federal restrictions on record for this species.
Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date. Rules vary by state and locality and change over time — always confirm the current regulations with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying, keeping, or shipping this species.