Description
Species Background
Native to South America, this sword comes from slow rivers and floodplain margins where water levels rise and fall seasonally. It is a true rosette plant adapted to nutrient rich sediments and steady, warm water. This is not a delicate boutique cultivar. It is a big, honest wetland plant that expects room and a decent substrate.
Growth Behavior
Heavy root feeder with a classic sword growth pattern. New leaves emerge from the center and older outer leaves eventually age out. It grows steadily rather than explosively, but once established it does not hesitate to claim space.
Size and Growth Form
Expect 18–24 inches tall in most aquariums, sometimes taller in deep tanks. Broad lance shaped leaves form an upright vase. This is a background anchor plant, not a filler.
Aquascaping Tip
Use it as a single specimen in the back corner or center back of a large tank and let everything else scale around it.
Water Parameters
Temperature: 72–82 °F
pH: 6.2–7.6
GH: 4–12
KH: 2–8
It tolerates a wide range because it is widely cultivated, but it performs best in moderately soft to medium water with stable conditions.
Light Requirements
Medium light. Low light leads to slower growth and longer, thinner leaves. High light is fine if nutrients are present.
CO₂ Requirements
Not required. Supplemental CO₂ increases leaf size and growth speed but is optional.
Nutrient Requirements
Primarily a substrate feeder. Root tabs are strongly recommended, especially in inert substrates. Water column fertilization supports leaf health but cannot replace root nutrition.
Tank Placement
Background. Give it horizontal space as well as vertical clearance. Crowding it results in leaf overlap and shaded lower growth.
Why Aquarists Keep It
It creates a calm, natural focal point, provides cover for fish, and brings a classic South American river look to larger aquariums. Once established, it is stable and predictable.
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