Propagating the Bleher Sword (Echinodorus grisebachii 'Bleherae')

Multiply the robust Bleher Sword (Echinodorus grisebachii 'Bleherae') through adventitious plantlets on its flowering stalk and by splitting the crown and rhizome.

Overview

The Bleher Sword (Echinodorus grisebachii 'Bleherae') is a robust rosette plant from South America, often sold as the standard 'Amazon Sword'. Echinodorus grisebachii is native to Cuba, Central America and South America as far south as Brazil and Bolivia, and its submergent leaves are lanceolate to narrowly oval, reaching 40 to 60 cm on flatly triangular petioles. The cultivar is undemanding and suits both beginners and more experienced aquarists.

It is a single-crown sword, so it is propagated not by cuttings but by daughter plantlets on the flower stalk and by dividing the crown and rhizome. Plants are often supplied as bundles that should first be split into separate specimens.

Propagation Method (Adventitious Plantlets / Division)

Across the Echinodorus genus, propagation is by division or by adventitious new plants developing on the submerged flowering stems. Underwater, the inflorescence produces small plantlets in place of flowers; each forms its own leaves and roots and can be detached once established. A large Bleher Sword can equally be lifted and divided through its crown and rhizome.

Step-by-Step

Grow a strong parent until it sends up a flowering stem, which underwater forms plantlets instead of flowers.
Wait until each plantlet has several leaves and clear roots of its own.
Snip the rooted plantlet from the stalk and plant it in nutrient-rich substrate with the crown above the soil line.
For division, lift the parent and cut the crown and rhizome into sections, each keeping leaves and a share of roots.
Replant divisions with spacing, tuck root tabs underneath, and keep light low to moderate while they re-establish.

Conditions for Healthy Growth

Tropica lists 'Bleherae' as having a low light demand and low CO2 demand, reaching 20 to 30+ cm within about two months, which makes it forgiving for propagation. Echinodorus generally favours nutrient-dense substrate, and as a heavy root feeder this sword takes most of its nutrition from the soil, so root tabs in a rich base layer drive the best regrowth.

Low light is sufficient, though brighter light keeps leaves compact
Low CO2 demand; supplementation is optional, not required
Nutrient-rich substrate plus root tabs for this heavy root feeder
Warm tropical to subtropical water

Maintenance

Bundled or nursery plants should be split into separate specimens before planting so each crown has room. Emersed-grown leaves may melt and be replaced by submersed foliage after transfer, so trim decaying outer leaves, refresh root tabs as the rosette enlarges, and give this large sword adequate background space.

Common Challenges

Initial leaf melt as emersed leaves convert to submersed growth.
Weak regrowth in plain gravel; correct with root tabs and richer substrate.
Plantlets slow to appear if the plant is not yet large enough to flower.
Crowding when several bundled stems are planted together instead of being split.