Helanthium tenellum 'Red' Care Guide
Helanthium tenellum 'Red' is a red-tinged dwarf chain sword that develops salmon-pink colour under strong light and forms a low foreground meadow.
Overview
Helanthium tenellum, known as pygmy or narrow-leaf chain sword, is a freshwater plant of the family Alismataceae. The 'Red' selection develops a reddish to salmon-pink colour in new growth under strong light, and spreads by runners to form a low foreground meadow.
Taxonomy
- Family: Alismataceae
- Genus: Helanthium
- Scientific name: Helanthium tenellum 'Red'
- Common name: pygmy chain sword
Habitat
Helanthium tenellum is a bog plant native to the eastern United States through Mexico and as far south as Paraguay. It is found throughout the northern US and Central America, in shallow wetland and marshy habitats where it can grow both emersed and submersed.
Aquarium requirements
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 3-12 °dGH
- Lighting: high (for red colour)
- CO2: recommended (not strictly required)
- Placement: foreground
- Maximum height: about 10 cm
The plant grows quickly with a nutrient-rich substrate and moderate to high lighting; under strong light the leaves take on a reddish-green tone. Low light with no CO2 results in slower, sparser, greener growth, while CO2 injection and rich soil yield a dense, rapidly expanding turf.
Care and growth
Growth rate is fast under good conditions. It is a root-feeding plant, so a nutrient-rich substrate or root tabs are beneficial. With adequate light, CO2 and fertilisation it forms a thick, even carpet.
Propagation
Helanthium tenellum spreads by runner chains, which are modified inflorescences that can reach up to about 50 cm in length, producing plantlets every 2 to 5 cm. Plantlets root into the substrate and gradually cover the foreground.