Echinodorus horizontalis Care Guide
Echinodorus horizontalis is an Amazon-basin sword whose heart-shaped leaves grow horizontally rather than upright, needing space and a nutrient-rich substrate.
Overview
Echinodorus horizontalis is a sword plant in the family Alismataceae from the Amazon basin. It is distinctive because its longish-oval, heart-based leaves grow more or less horizontally rather than upright, often showing a grid-like pattern of translucent areas. In the aquarium it commonly reaches about 15-20 cm, occasionally up to 35 cm, with a rosette spreading 30-50 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Alismataceae
- Genus: Echinodorus
- Scientific name: Echinodorus horizontalis
Habitat
The species occurs in northern South America within the Amazon basin. It favours soft, slightly acidic water and grows as a marginal wetland plant, submersed or emersed depending on water level.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5 (prefers soft, slightly acidic water)
- GH: 3-14 °dGH
- Lighting: medium to high; dislikes shade
- CO2: not required, but a good supply is beneficial
- Growth rate: medium
- Maximum height: about 40 cm
- Placement: midground
Planting and care
Because the leaves spread horizontally, the plant needs open space to display its form. It is a root feeder and requires a substrate rich in nutrients; it readily develops iron-deficiency chlorosis when undernourished, so iron-bearing fertilisation helps maintain leaf colour. A good CO2 supply and adequate light support healthy growth.
Propagation
Propagation is by adventitious plantlets on flower stalks and by division of the rootstock; the species can also set seed. Plantlets are separated once rooted and replanted.