Echinodorus Tenellus (Echinodorus tenellus) Care Guide
A small grass-like rosette plant that quickly spreads via runners to form a dense foreground carpet. Under high light it develops attractive reddish tones, while in low light it stays bright green and…
Overview
Echinodorus tenellus is an aquatic plant in the family Alismataceae. A small grass-like rosette plant that quickly spreads via runners to form a dense foreground carpet. Under high light it develops attractive reddish tones, while in low light it stays bright green and grows taller.
Taxonomy
- Family: Alismataceae
- Genus: Echinodorus
- Scientific name: Echinodorus tenellus
- Other names: Pygmy Chain Sword, Narrow Leaf Chain Sword
Habitat
In modern taxonomy treated as Helanthium tenellum (family Alismataceae). Distributed across the Americas from the eastern United States to Argentina. Spreads by runners and forms a low grass-like carpet under good light.
Growth requirements
- Light: medium (≈50-80 PAR at substrate)
- CO2: optional (CO2 improves growth and coloration)
- Temperature: 20-28 °C
- pH: 6-7.5
- GH: 3-12 °dGH
- Substrate: nutrient-rich aquasoil or fertilised gravel
- Nutrient demand: low
- Growth rate: fast
- Difficulty: beginner
Placement
- Recommended placement: foreground
- Maximum height: 10 cm
- Trim every: 14 days
Propagation
In cultivation the plant is propagated by runners (daughter plants on horizontal stolons).