Echinodorus Uruguayensis Tricolor

Echinodorus uruguayensis Tricolor — A Living Palette in Your Aquascape

Echinodorus uruguayensis Tricolor is a breathtaking cultivar of the Uruguayan sword plant, celebrated for its remarkable three-toned foliage that shifts between green, cream, and deep red or pink depending on lighting conditions and plant maturity. No two leaves are identical — each one emerges with its own unique pattern of colour, making this one of the most visually dynamic background plants in the hobby.

Its tall, arching leaves create a dramatic natural backdrop that frames the rest of your aquascape beautifully. Whether you're building a lush jungle layout or a structured Dutch-style composition, the Tricolor brings warmth, movement, and an unmistakable sense of living colour to the rear of the tank.

Appearance

• Height: 30 – 50 cm (12 – 20 inches); a true background plant for medium to large tanks
• Leaves: Broad, strap-like; tricoloured with green, cream/white, and red or pink variegation
• Growth habit: Rosette form with tall, upright to arching leaves; spreads slowly via runners

Care & Planting Tips

• Best placed at the back or sides of the tank where its height can be fully appreciated
• Heavy root feeder — plant in nutrient-rich substrate or supplement regularly with root tabs
• Moderate to high lighting intensifies the tricolour variegation and red tones
• CO₂ supplementation encourages faster growth and more vivid colouration
• Propagates via plantlets on long runners or flower stalks — separate once roots are established

Ideal Tank Parameters

• pH: 6.5 – 7.5
• Temperature: 18 – 26°C (64 – 79°F)
• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
• Lighting: Moderate to High
• Substrate: Nutrient-rich (aquarium soil or sand with root tabs)
• CO₂: Recommended for best colour expression

Sold as an individual rosette. Leaf colouration and variegation patterns will vary between individual plants and may shift with lighting intensity and water conditions.