When we talk about Echinodorus, it is not a single plant but an entire genus from the frog family (bot. Alismataceae). They mostly come from the so-called New World.
How to care for and propagate Echinodorus plants?
Caring for Echinodorus includes a bright location with lots of light, adequate lighting and nutrient supply through aquarium fertilizer. Propagation is easy via rhizome division or daughter plants, which makes them ideal for aquarium beginners.
Planting Echinodorus
Some Echinodorus species can be cultivated as swamp plants in pots, and even in garden ponds in summer. Many species are among the most popular ornamental plants in freshwater aquariums. Depending on the variety, they prefer a location in water or in a flood area, i.e. sometimes under water, sometimes comparatively dry.
Echinodorus varieties
There are around 30 different species in the sword plant genus, and there are also other hybrids from different breeders. The leaf shape or color is often crucial for the naming of the individual species, such as the heart-leaved sword plant, the narrow-leaved or broad-leaved sword plant and the black sword plant.
Among other things, there are very large species such as the large Amazon sword plant with a height of up to 60 centimeters, but also dwarf varieties or species that remain small such as the dwarf sword plant or the grass-like sword plant. This makes it relatively easy to choose the right size for your aquarium.
Caring for Echinodorus
Most species of sword plants are considered easy to care for, as is the large sword plant. They usually prefer a bright location with lots of light. So make sure you have adequate lighting (€63.00 at Amazon). Special aquarium fertilizer can help you supply nutrients.
Propagate Echinodorus
Sword plants can basically be propagated in two ways. Some species form daughter plants on the inflorescences, others form long rhizomes that can be easily separated. There are also species that use both methods of propagation. Under no circumstances does this mean a lot of work for you.
The most important things in brief:
- Very species-rich plant genus
- Swamp and/or aquatic plants
- usually very easy to care for, rarely requires medium care
- medium to high light requirements
- mostly easy to propagate through rhizome division or daughter plants
Tip
Most types of sword plants are very easy to care for and easy to propagate, so they are also highly recommended for beginners in aquarium keeping.
