Echinodorus argentinensis Care Guide
Echinodorus argentinensis is a robust subtropical sword from southeastern South America with broad ovate leaves, tolerating cooler water than most tropical swords.
Overview
Echinodorus argentinensis is a large, robust sword plant in the family Alismataceae from South America. It forms a strong upright rosette of broad green leaves; the blade is ovate, described as about 15-26 cm long and 7-15 cm wide with 7-13 veins and distinct pellucid lines. It is grown as a background specimen and is noted for tolerating cooler conditions than most tropical Echinodorus.
Taxonomy
- Family: Alismataceae
- Genus: Echinodorus
- Scientific name: Echinodorus argentinensis
- Author: Rataj
Habitat
The species is native to subtropical southeastern South America, including Argentina. As with other Echinodorus it is a wetland plant of slow rivers, ponds and marshes that grows submersed or emersed depending on water level; its subtropical range underlies its tolerance of cooler temperatures.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 18-26 °C (64-79 °F); tolerates cooler water than tropical swords
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 4-16 °dGH
- Lighting: medium to high
- CO2: not required
- Growth rate: medium
- Maximum height: about 50 cm
- Placement: background specimen
Planting and care
It is a heavy root feeder and benefits from a nutrient-rich substrate or root tabs, with iron-bearing fertilisation preventing leaf yellowing. Because it tolerates lower temperatures, it suits cooler or unheated subtropical setups as well as standard tropical tanks. Given its size it should be placed with room to develop as a solitary background plant.
Propagation
Propagation is vegetative, by adventitious plantlets on flower stalks and by division of the rootstock; daughter plants are separated and replanted once rooted.