How to Grow Amazon Sword
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Amazon Sword
Echinodorus amazonicus
aquatic plantAmazon Sword is a popular freshwater aquarium plant native to South America, prized for its long, lance-shaped green leaves that create an attractive backdrop in planted tanks. It grows moderately fast and can reach 12-20 inches tall, making it suitable for midground to background placement. The plant is hardy, adaptable, and beginner-friendly, thriving in a wide range of aquarium conditions.
When should you plant Amazon Sword in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Amazon Sword timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Amazon Sword
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Amazon Sword
Around May 17≈ 30 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Amazon Sword dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growth Stages
Acclimation & Root Development
1-2 weeksPlant establishes in new tank; leaves may appear pale or slightly drooped; root system develops from rhizome
Avoid moving the plant frequently; maintain stable water parameters; provide consistent lighting and fertilization
Vegetative Growth
2-4 weeksNew leaves emerge from crown; plant growth accelerates; leaves become fuller and more vibrant green
Ensure adequate lighting and nutrient availability (macro and micronutrients); perform regular water changes; pinch off dead outer leaves
Maturation
Ongoing (weeks 4-8+)Plant reaches desired height; leaves are full-sized and densely spaced; growth rate stabilizes
Continue regular fertilization and water maintenance; prune runners or oversized leaves to maintain shape and prevent shading lower areas
Runner Production
Weeks 4-8 onwardMature plants produce horizontal runners; plantlets develop at nodes along runners
Decide whether to propagate runners or remove them to keep plant compact; anchor new plantlets to substrate or allow them to float initially
Decline (if neglected)
Varies (preventable with proper care)Leaves yellow, brown, or melt if nutrients are depleted or light is insufficient; growth slows dramatically
Increase fertilization frequency; boost lighting; perform larger water changes; trim damaged leaves; check for algae or pest snail overpopulation
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Reduce lighting duration or intensity; maintain nutrient balance (avoid excess phosphate); introduce algae-eating fish (amano shrimp, otocinclus) or manually remove; increase plant biomass to outcompete algae
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Manual removal; reduce feeding (excess food decays); quarantine new plants; use snail-eating fish or pea puffers; maintain water quality to discourage reproduction
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Dose with comprehensive liquid fertilizer or all-in-one supplement; increase water change frequency; add root tabs; adjust lighting and CO₂ if available
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Remove heavily affected leaves; increase water current; elevate tank temperature slightly (78-80°F); reduce phosphate; use Excel (glutaraldehyde) or 2H₂O₂ spot treatments carefully; introduce amano shrimp
Uses
Aquarium Décor & Biotope Design
HouseholdAmazon Sword creates naturalistic jungle or South American biotope aquascapes, providing a dense, lush aesthetic that mimics its native rainforest habitat. The tall, elongated leaves offer shelter and resting spots for fish. [source]
Fish Habitat & Spawning Medium
WildlifeThe plant provides hiding spots for fry and smaller fish, reducing stress and predation. Many fish species use Amazon Sword leaves as a spawning substrate. [source]
Water Filtration & Nutrient Uptake
HouseholdLike all aquatic plants, Amazon Sword absorbs excess nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus) and produces oxygen, helping maintain water quality and reduce algae growth by competing for dissolved nutrients. [source]
Edibility (Limited)
CulinaryWhile not commonly consumed, Amazon Sword leaves are non-toxic and edible in salads or as a garnish, though they are fibrous and not particularly flavorful. Some aquarists have reported adding them to herbivore fish diets. [source]
Aquarium pH Stabilization
MedicinalThe plant's growth and nutrient uptake can help stabilize pH by consuming excess organic matter and producing oxygen, indirectly supporting a healthier aquatic environment for fish. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Amazon Sword does not produce a harvestable crop. Propagation is done by removing and replanting runners. Trim or thin outer leaves periodically (every 2-4 weeks) to improve water circulation, remove senescent foliage, and encourage bushier growth. Remove entire runners if propagation is not desired.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Amazon Sword can grow emersed (above water) in high-humidity paludariums, producing different leaf morphology—narrower, more upright leaves—compared to its submerged form.
- 🌱 The plant's scientific name, Echinodorus, derives from Greek words meaning 'hedgehog' and 'gift,' referring to the spiky seed pods it produces when flowering emersed.
- 🌱 In its native South American habitat, Amazon Sword grows along riverbanks and in flooded forests, where it can reach impressive heights of 20+ inches and produce delicate white flowers above the waterline.
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