Echinodorus bleheri
Echinodorus bleheri
Also known asAmazon sword (broad-leaf) · Echinodorus paniculatus · Bleher sword
Water parameters
Light and nutrients
Substrate type: nutrient preferred. Propagation: adventitious plantlets on flower stalks.
Substrate compatibility
| Substrate | pH effect | Nutrient load |
|---|---|---|
| Aquasoil (ADA Amazonia) | lowers pH | very high |
| Mineralized clay substrate (Seachem Fluorite) | neutral / inert | moderate |
| Dirted tank (mineralized topsoil) (DIY soil substrate) | slightly acidic | very high |
| Inert sand (Pool filter sand) | neutral / inert | none |
With fish
Origin and habitat
Native to South America, found in the Amazon basin and surrounding drainages. The species (Echinodorus bleheri) is very closely related to the standard Amazon sword (E. grisebachii/E. amazonicus) and is sometimes considered the same species or a variant. The distinction in the trade is that 'bleheri' typically refers to a form with broader, slightly more robust leaves than the standard Amazon sword. The two are frequently confused and mislabeled. The plant forms a large rosette of broad, bright green leaves from a central crown, with an extensive root system. Named after Heiko Bleher, a famous tropical fish collector. One of the most widely sold aquarium plants in the world. In the wild, swords grow as marginal plants with roots in shallow substrate and leaves extending above the water; fully submerged aquarium specimens produce somewhat narrower, more translucent leaves than emersed-grown plants. The difference is most visible immediately after purchase, when nursery-grown emersed leaves transition to submerged growth over a few weeks.
Care notes
Care is identical to the standard Amazon sword: heavy root feeder needing nutrient-rich substrate or root tabs. Plant the crown at substrate level with roots buried in 5 cm of substrate. Iron and potassium supplementation through root tabs supports healthy green coloring and prevents the yellowing leaves (chlorosis) that plague swords in nutrient-poor gravel. Moderate light is sufficient; the plant doesn't need high light or CO2 to grow well, though both accelerate growth. Mature specimens are large (30–50 cm tall, 30 cm diameter) and dominate smaller tanks. In a 60-liter tank, a single Echinodorus bleheri can become the entire aquascape. Best suited for tanks of 120 L where the scale is proportionate. Propagation by adventitious plantlets on flower stalks. The plant sends up a runner that produces daughter plants at each node; once they develop roots and 4-5 leaves, detach and replant. Trim yellowing older leaves at the base to keep the rosette tidy. Compatible with all community fish. The broad, sturdy leaves resist damage from all but the most determined herbivores. Temperature: 20–28°C. pH 6.0-7.5. One of the most reliable background plants for large community tanks.