Echinodorus Cordifolius (Echinodorus cordifolius) Care Guide

A large and vigorous sword plant with heart-shaped bright green leaves on long stalks. Can grow very large and tends to produce emersed leaves above the waterline if allowed, making it best suited for…

Overview

Echinodorus cordifolius is an aquatic plant in the family Alismataceae. A large and vigorous sword plant with heart-shaped bright green leaves on long stalks. Can grow very large and tends to produce emersed leaves above the waterline if allowed, making it best suited for open-top tanks or very deep aquariums.

Taxonomy

Family: Alismataceae
Genus: Echinodorus
Scientific name: Echinodorus cordifolius
Other names: Radicans Sword, Creeping Burhead

Habitat

Native to the southern United States, Mexico, Central America and northern South America. Family Alismataceae. Produces large heart-shaped emergent leaves; in submerged culture forms broad oval leaves and tall plantlet-bearing flowering stems.

Growth requirements

Light: medium (≈50-80 PAR at substrate)
CO2: optional (CO2 improves growth and coloration)
Temperature: 20-28 °C
pH: 6-8
GH: 3-18 °dGH
Substrate: nutrient-rich aquasoil or fertilised gravel
Nutrient demand: medium
Growth rate: fast
Difficulty: beginner

Placement

Recommended placement: background
Maximum height: 60 cm
Trim every: 14 days

Propagation

In cultivation the plant is propagated by runners (daughter plants on horizontal stolons) and adventitious plantlets on mature fronds.