Why are the leaves on my Amazon Sword turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves, a condition known as chlorosis, usually point to a nutrient deficiency—most commonly iron. Pressing a root tab deeply into the substrate near the base of the plant will typically resolve the issue for new growth.

Can I grow an Amazon Sword in plain gravel or sand?

Yes, but it will struggle unless you supplement the inert substrate. Because they are heavy root feeders, you must insert root tabs into the gravel or sand around the base of the plant every couple of months.

Does this plant require CO2 injection?

No, the Amazon Sword is highly adaptable and will grow well in low-tech setups without supplemental CO2. However, adding CO2 will noticeably increase its growth rate and leaf density.

Why are there holes appearing in the leaves?

Small pinholes bordered by yellowing tissue indicate a potassium deficiency. If the holes are larger and irregular, it may be mechanical damage from a rasping fish like a pleco, or a snail eating a leaf that was already decaying.

How do I prune my Amazon Sword?

Never cut a leaf in half. Always prune by snipping the stem of the dying or damaged leaf as close to the base (the crown) of the plant as possible. This encourages the plant to put energy into growing new leaves from the centre.

FreshwaterPlantsBeginner

Amazon Sword

Echinodorus grisebachii

The Amazon Sword is a quintessential, beginner-friendly background plant beloved for its lush, broad green foliage and ease of care.

List this species for sale Find Amazon Sword near me

Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 22 – 28 °C
pH range: 6 – 7.5
Hardness: 2 – 15 dGH
Adult size: 30 – 50 cm
60L minimum for mature size: 60 litres+
Lifespan: 2 – 5 years
Diet: Root tabs and substrate fertilisers
Water flow: Low to moderate
Preferred setup: Deep, nutrient-rich substrate to accommodate extensive root system

About the Amazon Sword

Echinodorus grisebachii is one of the most iconic plants in the aquarium hobby. For decades, it was sold under various names, most notably Echinodorus bleheri and E. amazonicus, before taxonomists consolidated them into a single, highly variable species. This classic rosette plant creates an imposing and beautiful green focal point in the aquarium, making it an ideal anchor for aquascapes.

Find Amazon Sword

Search current listings in your chosen area. If none are available, save an alert and we’ll let you know when a match is listed.

Find locally Check compatibility Add to a Setup

Availability alerts only use public sale listings. Adding this species to a Setup updates your private records.

Is it right for your tank?

Check Amazon Sword against a habitat you already keep. We compare water type, temperature, pH, adult size, group needs and everything living there.

Where Amazon Sword comes from

Native range

South America, Amazon Basin

Countries / regions

Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Cuba

Habitat

Found in shallow, slow-moving rivers, flooded marshlands, and muddy banks, growing both emersed and submersed.

Widely cultivated across the globe for the aquarium trade; wild harvesting is rare.

Similar species

Ozelot Sword
Echinodorus 'Ozelot'
Melon Sword
Echinodorus osiris
Red Flame Sword
Echinodorus 'Red Flame'

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

View all compatibility

Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Peaceful small shoaling fish that appreciate the broad leaves for shelter and shade.
Great
Bronze Corydoras
Corydoras aeneus
Gentle substrate dwellers that frequently rest under the canopy of mature Amazon Swords.
Great
Common Pleco
Hypostomus plecostomus
Large, heavy-bodied plecos can physically damage or rasp holes in the broad leaves.
Compatible with caution
Silver Dollar
Metynnis argenteus
Voracious plant-eaters that will quickly strip an Amazon Sword down to its stems.
Not recommended
Goldfish
Carassius auratus
Goldfish are habitual substrate sifters and plant-eaters that will uproot and consume the leaves.
Not recommended

Current marketplace listings

Checking the marketplace…

See all Amazon Sword listings

Public Wanted requests

No open requests for Amazon Sword in this market yet.

Looking for Amazon Sword?

Search current listings near you, or post a wanted request so local sellers know what you’re looking for.

Search Amazon Sword listings Post a wanted request