Broadleaf Chain Sword Care Guide
The broadleaf chain sword (Helanthium bolivianum 'Latifolius') is a fast carpet-forming plant with grass-like leaves that spreads via runners in low-tech tanks.
Overview
The broadleaf chain sword is a carpet-forming aquatic plant in the family Alismataceae, listed as Helanthium bolivianum 'Latifolius' (formerly Echinodorus latifolius). It has light to medium green, grass-like linear leaves about 1 cm wide and 10-30 cm long when submerged, and spreads quickly across the substrate.
Taxonomy
- Family: Alismataceae
- Genus: Helanthium
- Scientific name: Helanthium bolivianum 'Latifolius'
- Synonym: Echinodorus latifolius
Habitat
The species originates in South America. In cultivation it forms dense lawns and is widely used to fill the foreground and midground of planted tanks.
Growth requirements
- Water type: freshwater
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F); tolerates 10-30 °C
- pH: 6-8
- GH: up to about 30 °dGH
- Lighting: medium (moderate to high preferred)
- CO2: not required but promotes growth
The plant is a heavy root feeder; a nutrient-rich substrate and regular fertilisation support healthy, fast growth. It is rated easy to keep.
Placement
Reaching about 10-12 cm tall (matching the KB record of 12 cm), it suits the foreground as a lawn or the midground in smaller tanks and group plantings.
Propagation
It develops runners carrying many plantlets, so propagation is simply a matter of letting runners root or separating and replanting the new plants.