A Amazon sword either thrives or melts within the first month, and the difference is almost always down to three things you can control. The Echinodorus grisebachii Amazon sword is a workhorse plant for a reason: it tolerates a wide range of conditions and still looks good doing it.
At a glance
| Light | medium |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 22 to 28 °C |
| pH | 6.5 to 7.5 |
| Height | 40 to 60 cm |
| CO₂ | not required |
| Growth | moderate |
Planting
Plant Amazon sword with the crown or rhizome clear of the substrate — burying it rots the base. In a 28-gallon tank, position it mid-ground or background depending on its height. Weaker setups do fine; pair it with our iwagumi aquascape guide guide for a layered look.
Light and CO₂
Run 10 hours of light a day on a timer to avoid algae swings. Amazon sword grows under medium light and not required, though a small, steady dose of liquid fertiliser every 4 weeks pushes denser growth.
Propagation
Sends out runners and a flower stalk that roots new plants.
Common issues
Yellowing lower leaves usually mean a nutrient gap, not too little light. Trim dying leaves at the base, keep nitrates around 10 to 20 ppm, and avoid moving the plant every week — the vallisneria care: the tall, hardy background grass explains why stability beats tinkering.
Feeding the roots
The Amazon sword pulls nutrients from both water and substrate, so a root tab plus a weekly liquid dose keeps it green. Yellow lower leaves usually mean a nutrient gap, not a light problem.
