Amazon Sword

Description

Large, background plant Easy to care for Great for angelfish to lay eggs Amazon swords are one of the oldest-kept plants in the hobby, loved for their ease of care and ability to tolerate a wide range of conditions. They have long, broad leaves with a pointed end that come in bright green to dark green colors. This monster plant can grow 20 inches tall or more, making them a great background plant for larger aquariums or centerpiece for small aquariums. Angelfish are known for using an Amazon sword's large leaves as a surface to lay eggs. Scientific Name: Echinodorus amazonicus (formerly Echinodorus bleheri ) Native To: South America Skill Level: Easy Placement: Background Recommended Light: Low to Medium Light 10-35 PAR ( click to see our PAR chart) CO 2 Requirement: None Preferred Fertilizer: Easy Root Tabs and Easy Green liquid fertilizer Propagation : Trim off side shoots and replant ***Being a natural product, sizes can vary from what is shown.*** How to Plant Amazon Sword in Aquarium 1. Remove the potted plant from plastic basket, and split the rock wool in half. 2. Carefully remove the plant roots from the rock wool, and make sure to remove all the small, yellow fertilizer balls. Wash off any remaining debris. 3. Use planting tweezers or your fingers to push the roots of the sword deeply into the substrate until they are completely buried. Pull out the plant slightly so that the crown (i.e., the base of the plant where all the leaves come out) is not covered with substrate. 4. If the plant keeps popping out of the ground, try inserting the plant at an angle or wrap a plant weight at the bottom of the plant to keep it anchored. 5. Make sure to add lots of root tabs if you’re using inert substrate or if your nutrient-rich substrate is depleted. How to Care for Amazon Sword Plant — Amazon sword care is very easy, so start by using low to medium lighting between 10-35 PAR. — Why is my new sword plant melting? Sword plants are sometimes known to experience melting when they suddenly move to a new environment. To help the plant recover faster and grow new leaves that are accustomed to your water parameters, leave the roots planted in the ground and make sure to provide nutrient-rich planted tank substrate or Easy Root Tabs . — Why is my Amazon sword turning brown after it was growing so well? Sword plants absorb lots of nutrients from the ground, so it may be a nutrient deficiency. If the larger, outer leaves are yellowing and dying after a couple of months, please add more root tabs . — How to trim Amazon sword: If the sword plant has dying or melting leaves, cut them off at the base of the leaf. — Note: Bristlenose plecos and other plecos have been known to eat sword plants, so watch out for this if you see holes in the leaves. How to Propagate Amazon Sword Sword plants reproduce by sending out a horizontal runner with a little plantlet at the end. The plantlet will sprout its own leaves and roots that grow into the ground. You can cut off the plantlet and re-plant it in a different location.

Specifications

Pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the scientific name of Amazon sword plant?

A: The scientific name is Echinodorus amazonicus, formerly known as Echinodorus bleheri. This aquatic plant is native to South America and has been one of the oldest-kept plants in the aquarium hobby due to its ease of care and tolerance for varied conditions.

Q: How tall does Amazon sword plant grow in aquariums?

A: Amazon sword plants can grow 20 inches tall or more, making them excellent background plants for larger aquariums or centerpieces for smaller tanks. The exact size varies naturally since this is a living product, but they consistently reach substantial heights for aquatic setups.

Q: What light do Amazon sword plants need?

A: Amazon sword plants require low to medium lighting between 10-35 PAR. They tolerate a wide range of conditions and don't need intense lighting, making them adaptable to most aquarium setups. This flexibility contributes to their popularity among both beginner and experienced aquarists.

Q: Does Amazon sword require CO2 supplementation?

A: No, Amazon sword plants do not require CO2 supplementation. This makes them an excellent choice for aquarists without CO2 injection systems. They thrive with standard aquarium conditions and basic fertilization using root tabs and liquid fertilizers.

Q: What fertilizer should I use for Amazon sword?

A: Use Easy Root Tabs and Easy Green liquid fertilizer for optimal Amazon sword growth. These products provide essential nutrients since sword plants absorb many nutrients from the substrate. If leaves turn yellow or brown after a few months, adding more root tabs can address nutrient deficiencies.

Q: Why do angelfish prefer Amazon sword plants?

A: Angelfish use Amazon sword's large, broad leaves as a surface to lay eggs. The plant's size and leaf structure make it an ideal spawning site for angelfish, which is why it's specifically recommended for tanks containing these fish. This natural behavior is one key reason for the plant's widespread popularity.

Q: What skill level is Amazon sword care?

A: Amazon sword is rated as easy to care for, suitable for all experience levels. The plant tolerates a wide range of conditions and doesn't require specialized equipment like CO2 systems or high-intensity lighting, making it perfect for beginners establishing their first planted tanks.

Q: Why is my Amazon sword turning brown or yellowing?

A: Yellowing or browning of outer leaves typically indicates nutrient deficiency. Sword plants absorb significant nutrients from substrate. Adding more root tabs usually resolves the issue. If the plant is melting after moving to a new environment, ensure it's planted in nutrient-rich substrate and provide root tabs to aid recovery.