Echinodorus Grandifolius

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Large-flowered sword; Amazon sword

Synonyms

Echinodorus floribundus; Echinodorus argentinensis; Echinodorus floridanus

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay

Habitat

Rivers, riverbanks, and marshy river deltas along the southeastern South American coast, often in sticky mud in seasonally flooded areas

Sourcing

Captive-bred

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Easy

Growth form

Rosette

Max height

6 – 40 in (15 – 102 cm)

Spread

20 in (51 cm)

Growth rate

Slow

Placement

Background

Water

Temperature

70 – 82 °F (21 – 28 °C)

pH

6.0 – 7.5

GH

3 – 15 dGH

Flow

Low-Moderate

Light

High

CO₂

Beneficial

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Roots

Fertilizer needs

High

Colors

Green

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Runners, Seeds

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Care guide

Overview

Mature specimens can top 20 inches, with broad green rosette leaves that eventually breach the surface in tall or open-top tanks. It suits large background plantings in 55-gallon-plus setups with deep, nutrient-rich substrate and bright light. New leaves often emerge with a reddish-gold flush before turning green, a normal trait rather than a sign of deficiency.

Care

A large background rosette plant best reserved for tanks with real depth and height, since mature leaves readily reach the surface and beyond. Bright lighting and a nutrient-rich substrate bring out its best growth, and it tolerates a fairly broad range of pH and hardness once established. Because it pushes leaves above the waterline given the chance, an open-top setup or regular trimming of the tallest leaves keeps it manageable in a closed aquarium.

Planting & trimming

Plant the rhizome and root crown directly into a deep, nutrient-rich substrate, leaving the crown itself unburied so new leaves can emerge freely. Space it well away from other plants given its eventual size, and expect it to need a substrate depth of several inches to accommodate its extensive root system. Regularly trim the largest, oldest leaves that reach the surface to keep growth submerged and prevent shading of other plants.

Fertilizing

This species is a heavy root feeder and benefits from root tabs or a nutrient-rich substrate layer, especially in inert gravel or sand setups. Supplemental iron helps maintain leaf color and prevents pale or chlorotic new growth. Liquid fertilization can support the water column but should not replace substrate feeding for this plant.

Propagation

Propagates mainly by runners that produce plantlets at their tips, which can be separated once they have developed their own root systems and replanted in substrate. Seed propagation is possible but rarely used in aquarium culture. Division of offshoots from the mother rhizome is another option as the plant matures.

Problems

New leaves may emerge with a reddish-golden tint before greening up, which is normal rather than a deficiency. Yellowing or pale leaves under insufficient light or nutrient shortage indicate a need for more iron or root tabs. Emersed growth above the waterline can shade out submerged plants below it if left unchecked, so trimming tall leaves helps maintain balance in the tank.

Sources

1. Echinodorus grandiflorus - Flowgrow Aquatic Plant Database
2. Echinodorus grandiflorus Care Guide: Growth, Propagation, and Aquarium Setup Tips
3. Echinodorus grandiflorus
4. Echinodorus grandiflorus - Aquarium plant

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