Echinodorus Cordifolius aquarium plant —
commonly known as the Spade Leaf Sword or
Radicans Sword — is one of the most impressive
and dramatic freshwater aquarium plants
available. This echinodorus cordifolius
aquarium plant produces large distinctive
heart-shaped bright green leaves on long
arching stems that create a magnificent
bold display in the background of any
medium or large planted aquarium.
For aquarists who want a truly dramatic
statement plant that commands attention and
fills the background of their aquarium with
lush tropical presence, this echinodorus
cordifolius aquarium plant is the perfect
choice — delivering impressive results with
surprisingly easy care requirements.
What is Echinodorus Cordifolius Aquarium Plant?
Echinodorus Cordifolius is a large rosette
plant native to Mexico and Central America
where it grows naturally along the edges of
rivers, lakes, and flooded areas. It produces
its characteristic large heart-shaped or
spade-shaped leaves that give it both its
scientific name — Cordifolius meaning
heart-leaved — and its popular common name
of Spade Leaf Sword.
In the aquarium this echinodorus cordifolius
aquarium plant can grow to impressive sizes
— reaching 40 to 60 centimetres or more in
height in good conditions. Under very good
conditions it may even send aerial shoots
above the waterline producing flowers and
adventitious plantlets along the flower
stem — a fascinating natural phenomenon.
Why Choose Echinodorus Cordifolius Aquarium Plant?
🌿 Large heart-shaped bright green leaves
create a bold dramatic background display
🌿 One of the most impressive statement
plants available for medium and large tanks
🌿 Hardy and adaptable — tolerates a
wide range of water conditions easily
🌿 No CO2 required — grows beautifully
in basic low-tech planted tank setups
🌿 Propagates naturally through plantlets
on aerial flower stems above waterline
🌿 Provides excellent natural shade and
shelter for bottom-dwelling fish and shrimp
🌿 Heavy root feeder — benefits from
root tabs for maximum growth potential
How to Plant Echinodorus Cordifolius Aquarium Plant
Push the roots of this echinodorus
cordifolius aquarium plant deeply into
fine sand or gravel substrate. Keep the
crown — where the leaves emerge from
the base — at or just above the substrate
surface at all times. Never bury the crown
as this prevents new leaf growth and
can seriously damage the plant.
For best results plant this echinodorus
cordifolius aquarium plant in nutrient-rich
substrate and supplement with root tabs
placed directly near the root zone every
3 months. It is a heavy root feeder that
benefits significantly from substrate
nutrition alongside regular liquid
fertiliser doses.
Echinodorus Cordifolius Size Management
This echinodorus cordifolius aquarium plant
can grow very large — it is best suited to
aquariums of 80 litres or more where it
has adequate space to display its impressive
leaf size. In smaller tanks it can still
be grown but the large leaves may dominate
the entire tank and will need more frequent
removal of older outer leaves to manage
its overall size.
Propagation
This echinodorus cordifolius aquarium plant
propagates naturally by sending up long
flower stems that grow above the waterline
under good conditions. Along these stems
adventitious plantlets develop — small
complete plants with leaves and roots that
can be detached and planted independently
once they have developed 3 to 4 leaves
and a healthy root system.
Perfect Plant Combinations
This echinodorus cordifolius aquarium plant
pairs beautifully with Anubias Nana
on driftwood in the midground and works
wonderfully alongside Java Moss
on foreground rocks. Also pairs well with Vallisneria Jungle Val
as a companion large background plant
in very large display aquariums.
Browse our complete background plant collection
for more large background plant options.
For more information on Echinodorus
species care visit Fishkeeping World and
Aquatic Plant Central.
Care Details
🌱 Care Level: Easy
💡 Lighting: Medium to High
💧 CO2: Not required
📍 Placement: Background
🌡️ Temperature: 20°C – 28°C
⚗️ pH: 6.0 – 7.5
💪 Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast
Every Echinodorus Cordifolius aquarium plant
from FloraBiz is farm-grown in clean healthy
cultivation tanks in Kozhikode, Kerala and
shipped fresh directly to your doorstep
anywhere in India with our live plant
delivery guarantee.
