Echinodorus Africanus

Echinodorus africanus — The African Sword That Commands Attention

Echinodorus africanus is a bold, large-growing sword plant that brings a sense of grandeur and tropical lushness to any planted aquarium. Despite its name suggesting African origins, it is native to South America — a striking species prized for its broad, deep green leaves with a distinctive, slightly corrugated or bullate texture that catches light beautifully and adds visual depth to the background of any aquascape.

Its imposing stature and rich foliage make it a natural focal point in larger tanks, where it can fully express its size and presence. Fish and shrimp are drawn to its broad leaves for shelter and grazing, making it as functional as it is beautiful.

Appearance

• Height: 30 – 60 cm (12 – 24 inches); a commanding background plant for medium to large aquariums
• Leaves: Broad, ovate, deep green with a subtly textured, corrugated surface; sturdy and upright
• Growth habit: Rosette form; slow to moderate growth rate; spreads via runners and flower stalks

Care & Planting Tips

• Best positioned at the back or sides of the tank — its size demands space to shine
• Heavy root feeder — plant in a nutrient-rich substrate or use root tabs consistently
• Moderate to high lighting encourages robust, healthy growth and deep green colouration
• CO₂ supplementation is beneficial but not strictly required
• Propagates via adventitious plantlets on long flower stalks — separate once they develop their own roots
• Avoid frequent repositioning — once established, it prefers to stay put

Ideal Tank Parameters

• pH: 6.5 – 7.5
• Temperature: 22 – 28°C (72 – 82°F)
• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
• Lighting: Moderate to High
• Substrate: Nutrient-rich (aquarium soil or sand with root tabs)
• CO₂: Beneficial but not required

Sold as an individual rosette. This is a large-growing species — best suited for aquariums of 200L (50 gallons) or more where it can reach its full potential.