How much light does Amazon Sword need?

Medium light, around 35–60 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ of PAR. Watts are not comparable between fixtures; PAR is. If the manufacturer does not publish PAR, pick one band lower than the tank depth suggests.

Does Amazon Sword need CO₂?

It is optional. Marked "optional": with CO₂ it grows faster and tighter, without it still does fine.

What water does Amazon Sword want?

22–28 °C, pH 6–7.5, 3–12 dGH. At 9 dGH wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.

How fast does Amazon Sword grow, and where does it go?

Growth rate: medium. Placement: background / specimen. Substrate: substrate required, reaching about 30–50 cm. Difficulty: beginner.

G-02 / 06Freshwater

Amazon Sword亚马逊剑

Echinodorus amazonicus · Alismataceae

The classic background sword with 40 to 50 cm leaves; it feeds through its roots and needs a wide root zone.

Illustration to come

G-02 / 06 · Amazon Sword Echinodorus amazonicus

SpecificationsPlant atlas

Name: 亚马逊剑
Scientific name: Echinodorus amazonicus
Family: Alismataceae
Origin: River bays and floodplain shallows of South America (the Brazilian Amazon basin)
Light: Medium light
PAR: 35–60
CO₂: Optional
Hardness: 3–12 dGH
Growth: Medium
Placement: Background / Specimen
Substrate: Substrate required
Height: 30–50 cm
Level: Beginner

Water requirementsFreshwater

Temp.22–28 °C

pH6–7.5

Hardness3–12 dGH

Alkalinity2–8 dKH

Units: temperature in °C, hardness in German degrees (dGH / dKH), marine salinity as specific gravity at 25 °C, volume in litres. These are the values recorded for the species and do not follow the site unit switcher.

Growing notes

1Give it a root zone over 15 cm across with a slow-release root tab; when it runs short the new leaves come out smaller and yellow.
2Most plants are sold in their emersed form and those leaves die back over two to four weeks as submersed leaves replace them, which is normal, so do not pull the plant.
3It pushes one or two new leaves a month; cut yellowed outer leaves at the base of the stalk and leave the central growth point alone.
4Iron shortage yellows the new leaves between the veins and potassium shortage needles holes through them, and both are easy to read on this plant.
5It gets big, so one specimen is the limit in a 60 cm tank or it will shade everything around it.

Frequently asked questions

How much light does Amazon Sword need?: Medium light, around 35–60 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ of PAR. Watts are not comparable between fixtures; PAR is. If the manufacturer does not publish PAR, pick one band lower than the tank depth suggests.
Does Amazon Sword need CO₂?: It is optional. Marked "optional": with CO₂ it grows faster and tighter, without it still does fine.
What water does Amazon Sword want?: 22–28 °C, pH 6–7.5, 3–12 dGH. At 9 dGH wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.
How fast does Amazon Sword grow, and where does it go?: Growth rate: medium. Placement: background / specimen. Substrate: substrate required, reaching about 30–50 cm. Difficulty: beginner.