Echinodorus Parviflorus

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Rosette Sword; Dwarf Amazon Sword; Amazon Rosette

Synonyms

Echinodorus grisebachii 'Tropica'

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

Bolivia, Peru, South America

Habitat

Shallow tropical wetlands and slow-moving waters, growing both submerged and emersed along margins

Sourcing

Captive-bred

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Easy

Growth form

Rosette

Max height

2 – 10 in (5.1 – 25 cm)

Spread

10 in (25 cm)

Growth rate

Moderate

Placement

Foreground, Midground

Water

Temperature

71 – 82 °F (22 – 28 °C)

pH

6.5 – 7.5

GH

4 – 18 dGH

Flow

Low-Moderate

Light

Medium

CO₂

Beneficial

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Roots

Fertilizer needs

High

Colors

Green

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Adventitious plantlets, Runners

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Care guide

Overview

Light-green leaves with a hammered texture and prominent veins form a compact rosette that stays proportional in smaller tanks, unlike its larger Amazon Sword relatives. It roots heavily, so nutrient-rich substrate and root tabs matter more than water column dosing. Melting of emersed-grown leaves after planting is normal as it converts to submerged growth.

Care

A compact rosette sword that stays proportional even in smaller tanks, unlike its larger Amazon Sword relatives. It tolerates a wide range of lighting from low to moderate-high, and does not require CO2 injection, though supplementation speeds growth. Because it draws most of its nutrition through the roots, a nutrient-rich substrate matters far more to its long-term health than water column dosing.

Planting & trimming

Plant the crown at substrate level with the roots buried but the base of the leaves exposed, since a buried crown will rot. Space plants roughly 6 to 8 inches apart to allow the rosette to fill out, and trim older or damaged outer leaves as needed to keep the plant tidy. It can also be grown emersed in paludariums, where it will flower.

Fertilizing

Root tabs placed beneath the crown are the most effective way to feed this plant, since it behaves as a heavy root feeder rather than pulling nutrients from the water column. An iron supplement can help correct pale or yellowing new growth in nutrient-poor setups. Liquid fertilizers offer secondary support but should not replace substrate feeding.

Propagation

Established plants send up a flower stalk bearing small adventitious plantlets; once a plantlet has grown three or four leaves and developed roots it can be cut free and replanted separately. Some growers also report occasional runner production with daughter plants forming along horizontal shoots. Side-shoot division is a secondary option if offsets appear at the base of the rosette.

Problems

New arrivals often shed their emersed-grown leaves within the first few weeks as they convert to a submerged growth form, which is normal rather than a sign of failing health. Sudden shifts in water parameters or nutrient availability can trigger more general melt and should be avoided after planting. Pale or thin leaves usually point to insufficient root feeding or iron deficiency rather than lighting problems.

Sources

1. Echinodorus grisebachii 'Tropica' - Tropica Aquarium Plants
2. Echinodorus parviflorus 'Tropica' – Compact Rosette Sword – Aquarium Plants Factory
3. Echinodorus Parviflorus Aquarium Plant - Buce Plant
4. Dwarf Amazon Sword (Echinodorus parviflorus) – Care, Propagation, and Aquascaping Tips

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