Amazon swords are the archetypal aquarium centrepiece. Broad sword-shaped leaves that reach 40+ cm, single dramatic focal plant that anchors any aquascape, and — provided you feed the roots — nearly impossible to kill. If you’ve seen a “classic” tropical aquarium with a large plant in the centre, it was probably an Amazon sword.

This guide covers proper Amazon sword care for UK aquarists — how to plant, feed the demanding root system, propagate, and troubleshoot.

Quick facts

• Scientific name: Echinodorus (multiple species — E. bleheri most common)
• Origin: Amazon Basin and other South American rivers
• Adult size: 30–50 cm leaves; some varieties larger
• Light needs: moderate to bright
• Substrate: rooted; DEMANDING root feeder
• Water temperature: 22–28°C
• pH: 6.5–7.5
• Water hardness: soft to medium (5–15 dGH)
• Growth rate: moderate
• CO2: not required but responds well
• Difficulty: easy in nutrient-rich substrate; struggles in inert substrate

The main varieties

• **Amazon sword (E. bleheri)** — the classic. Large broad leaves. Most common in UK. £8–£15 per specimen.
• **Ozelot sword (E. ozelot)** — spotted red-brown patterns on leaves. Aesthetic. £12–£20.
• Red Rubin sword — reddish new growth, matures to green. £15–£25.
• **Chain sword (E. tenellus)** — small variety, sends out runners. Foreground use. £8–£12.
• Kleiner Bär sword — dwarf variety, 15–20 cm leaves. Nano tanks. £10–£18.

Where to buy in the UK

• Amazon UK: Amazon sword aquarium plant — £8–£15.
• Maidenhead Aquatics and independent UK shops for larger specimens.
• UK aquascape specialists for premium varieties (Ozelot, Red Rubin).

Watch out for: plants sold in transparent gel media are tissue-culture — pesticide-free, safe for shrimp, but smaller. Larger emersed-grown plants transition to submerged growth over 4–8 weeks.

Planting

Root plants — planted in substrate with roots buried, crown above substrate.

Crown positioning: the crown (where leaves emerge from) must be above the substrate. Burying the crown causes rot within weeks.

Depth: 5–8 cm substrate minimum. Amazon sword roots are extensive — 20+ cm long in mature plants.

Substrate type:

• Best: nutrient-rich aquasoil or ADA Amazonia — Amazon sword thrives
• Good: fine gravel or sand plus aquarium root tabs inserted regularly
• Marginal: inert gravel without root tabs — plant struggles

See our best aquarium substrate UK guide.

Positioning: mid-to-back of tank. Amazon sword is a centrepiece — usually one specimen in the middle-back with smaller plants around it.

Lighting

Moderate to bright.

• Low light: slow growth, small pale leaves
• Moderate light (30–50 PAR at substrate): standard growth, good leaf size
• Bright light (50+ PAR): rapid growth, dark green leaves, prolific runners

See our best aquarium LED lighting UK guide for options.

Feeding — the critical part

Amazon sword is a heavy root feeder. Nutrients enter via roots, not leaves. This is the #1 reason for struggling Amazon swords in the UK — inert substrate + no root tabs = starved plant.

Non-negotiable:

• Aquarium root tabs inserted 2–3 cm from the plant crown, every 2–3 months. Absolutely essential.

Supplementary:

• Standard liquid ferts (Seachem Flourish) helps but doesn’t replace root tabs
• Iron supplement for reddish varieties (Ozelot, Red Rubin) — iron enhances red colouration

Water requirements

Tolerant range:

• pH 6.5–7.5 (slight tolerance up to 8.0)
• GH 5–15 dGH
• Temperature 22–28°C

UK soft water areas (Wales, Scotland, Southwest) — perfect for Amazon sword.

UK hard water areas (London, Home Counties) — Amazon sword tolerates but grows slower. Consider adding Indian almond leaves for gentle acidification.

Propagation — adventitious plantlets

Amazon sword produces baby plants on flower stalks (adventitious plantlets) — a form of asexual reproduction.

Process:

1. Mature plant produces a long flower stalk (30+ cm) reaching the surface
2. Small plantlets grow at intervals along the stalk
3. When plantlets have 3–4 leaves each and small roots, they’re ready to move
4. Cut the stalk and separate individual plantlets
5. Plant each plantlet in substrate at a suitable location

Requirements for plantlet production:

• Mature plant (12+ months old)
• Nutrient-rich substrate
• Adequate light
• Stable water conditions

Not all Amazon swords produce plantlets. It’s a bonus if it happens.

Common problems

Yellow, melting leaves

The plant is starving. Add root tabs immediately. Wait 4–6 weeks for recovery.

Small pale leaves that fall off

Insufficient light or nutrients. Increase LED intensity and add fertilisation.

Crown rotting (fatal)

Crown buried in substrate. Rescue attempt: uproot, cut off rotted portion cleanly, replant with crown ABOVE substrate.

Brown spots on leaves

• Too bright light: green spot algae or algal blooms. Reduce photoperiod, add nerite snails.
• Iron deficiency: add iron supplement.
• Old leaves dying: normal cycle. Remove yellowing leaves at base with aquascape scissors.

Fish uprooting

Amazon sword roots hold well after 4+ weeks. Freshly planted swords are vulnerable. Weight with rocks or cover with mesh for the first month.

Tank mates

Safe with almost everything. No fish eats Amazon sword — leaves too tough.

Pairs well with:

• Community tetras
• Corydoras catfish — bottom-feeder complement
• Bristlenose plecs — safe
• Angelfish — often kept together (both South American)
• Dwarf cichlids (rams, kribensis)

Marginal:

• Goldfish — may pull leaves
• Larger cichlids — will uproot rather than eat

Very safe:

• Shrimp — Amazon sword provides massive biofilm surface
• Snails — grazes without damage

Aquascape uses

• Centrepiece specimen — one large Amazon sword as focal point
• Background wall — 3–4 Amazon swords across the back of a large tank
• Community-tank staple — the classic 90s aquascape often revolves around a central sword
• Angelfish tank — see our angelfish guide; swords are a natural pairing

Bottom line

Buy an Amazon sword for £10. Plant in nutrient-rich substrate OR add root tabs monthly. Provide moderate LED light. Wait 8–12 weeks for the plant to establish.

Once established, an Amazon sword grows into a magnificent centrepiece that transforms a community aquarium. Total maintenance: a root tab every 3 months, weekly liquid ferts, occasional dead-leaf pruning.

For the beginner planted tank: pair with Java fern, Anubias, and Amazon frogbit. Complete low-tech planted setup, no CO2 required.

Frequently asked questions

How do you care for an Amazon sword plant?

Plant it in nutrient-rich substrate with the crown above the surface, give moderate to bright light, and feed heavily at the roots with root tabs. It grows into a large centrepiece over 8–12 weeks.

Why is my Amazon sword melting or yellowing?

Almost always root starvation in inert substrate. Insert root tabs near the roots every 2–3 months, and the plant recovers over 4–6 weeks.

Does an Amazon sword need CO2?

No, it grows well without CO2 in a low-tech tank. What it does need is a rich root feeding source, since it draws nutrients mainly through its roots.

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Related: best aquarium plants UK, Java fern care, Anubias care, Vallisneria care, best aquarium substrate UK, best aquarium LED lighting UK.

— Jaqline Smalling, FishForever