Echinodorus 'Rose' (Echinodorus 'Rose') Care Guide
A beautiful hybrid sword plant whose new leaves emerge in stunning pink to rose tones before gradually maturing to green.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Echinodorus 'Rose' is an aquatic plant in the family Alismataceae. A beautiful hybrid sword plant whose new leaves emerge in stunning pink to rose tones before gradually maturing to green. The ongoing production of new leaves ensures constant color contrast in the aquarium.
Taxonomy
- Family: Alismataceae
- Genus: Echinodorus
- Scientific name: Echinodorus 'Rose'
- Other names: Rose Sword
Habitat
A cultivated hybrid in the genus Echinodorus (family Alismataceae). Develops broad ovate leaves on long petioles with a pink to red tint when young, fading toward green-bronze with maturity. Propagated commercially through plantlets on submerged flowering stems and rhizome division.
Growth requirements
- Light: medium (≈50-80 PAR at substrate)
- CO2: optional (CO2 improves growth and coloration)
- Temperature: 22-28 °C
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- GH: 3-12 °dGH
- Substrate: nutrient-rich aquasoil or fertilised gravel
- Nutrient demand: medium
- Growth rate: medium
- Difficulty: beginner
Placement
- Recommended placement: midground
- Maximum height: 35 cm
Propagation
In cultivation the plant is propagated by runners (daughter plants on horizontal stolons) and adventitious plantlets on mature fronds.
Propagating Echinodorus 'Rose'
Overview
Echinodorus 'Rose' is a hybrid sword plant in the family Alismataceae, grown as a single rosette whose new leaves emerge in pink to rose tones before maturing to green. Like other Echinodorus, it grows best in a deep, nutrient-rich substrate and prefers good light, making it a steady midground specimen.
Because it is a rosette rather than a stem plant, it is never propagated by topping or cutting the stem. Instead it multiplies through adventitious plantlets and by dividing the established crown.
Propagation Method
Echinodorus species can be propagated by division or by adventitious new plants developing on submerged flowering stems. When an inflorescence develops underwater instead of producing flowers, it forms small plantlets that can be detached and planted once they grow their own leaves and roots.
Step-by-Step
- If a flower stem appears, leave it submerged so it produces plantlets rather than flowers.
- Wait until each plantlet has several leaves and a small set of roots.
- Snip the plantlet from the stalk and plant it in nutrient-rich substrate, keeping the crown above the soil line.
- For crown division, lift a mature plant, then cut the rhizome into sections that each carry healthy leaves and roots.
- Replant divisions and add a root tab beneath each one.
Conditions for Healthy Growth
Most Echinodorus grow in variable water conditions but need tropical or sub-tropical temperatures. Provide good light and a deep, nutrient-rich substrate; additional CO2 often helps drive strong growth.
- Temperature: 22-28 C
- pH 6.5-7.5, GH 3-12
- Medium light; nutrient-rich substrate with root feeding
Maintenance
As a heavy root feeder, this sword rewards regular root tabs. Remove old or melting leaves at the base so the rosette keeps pushing fresh, colorful growth.