{"product_id":"chocolate-marble-sword-echinodorus-sp-chocolate-marble-potted","title":"Chocolate Marble Sword (Echinodorus sp. 'Chocolate Marble') - Potted","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E8F5E9;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eChocolate Marble Sword\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eEchinodorus\u003c\/em\u003e sp. 'Chocolate Marble') brings dessert-menu color to the classic sword plant: broad, wavy-edged leaves splashed with chocolate, maroon, and deep green marbling, with new growth emerging in the richest reddish-brown tones. It grows as a bold rosette that anchors the midground or background of a planted tank, and like all swords it is hardy, undemanding, and happiest with its roots well fed. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003elive freshwater plants\u003c\/a\u003e to build out the aquascape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting:\u003c\/strong\u003e remove the pot and rock wool, then plant in the substrate with the crown (where leaves meet roots) sitting just above the surface. Give it a few inches of clearance on all sides; swords spread wide.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeed the roots:\u003c\/strong\u003e swords are heavy root feeders. Push \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/easy-root-tabs-60-tablets\"\u003eroot tabs\u003c\/a\u003e into the substrate around the base every few months, and the marbling and leaf size respond dramatically.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e moderate light grows a healthy plant; stronger light pulls out more of the chocolate and maroon tones in new leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 82°F, pH 6.5 to 7.5. Very forgiving and fine in low-tech tanks, no CO2 required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTransition note:\u003c\/strong\u003e nursery-grown leaves may melt back as the plant switches to underwater growth. Keep feeding the roots; the new submerged leaves come in stronger and better marked.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePropagation:\u003c\/strong\u003e mature plants send up runners with baby swords you can separate and replant once rooted.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eEchinodorus\u003c\/em\u003e sp. 'Chocolate Marble'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eChocolate Marble Sword, Marble Sword\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSold as\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePotted plant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMidground to background\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e10 to 16 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eModerate, more light deepens color\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCO2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eNot required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 82°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6.5 to 7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eRosette, propagates by runners\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003ePlacement \u0026amp; Companions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse it as a centerpiece rosette with carpets or short plants in front; its dark marbling pops against bright greens like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/monte-carlo-micranthemum-tweediei-potted\"\u003eMonte Carlo\u003c\/a\u003e. It pairs naturally with the classic \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/amazon-sword-echinodorus-grisebachii-potted-freshwater-plant\"\u003eAmazon Sword\u003c\/a\u003e and echoes the bronze tones of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/cryptocoryne-wendtii-bronze-potted-freshwater-crypt-plant\"\u003eCryptocoryne wendtii 'Bronze'\u003c\/a\u003e. Sword plants are fish-safe with nearly everything; only dedicated plant shredders like large goldfish and big cichlids are a bad match.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/easy-root-tabs-60-tablets\"\u003eAquarium Co-Op Easy Root Tabs\u003c\/a\u003e the sword essential\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-flourish-comprehensive-supplement\"\u003eSeachem Flourish\u003c\/a\u003e comprehensive liquid supplement\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy are some leaves losing the chocolate color?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOlder leaves mature toward green; the marbling is strongest on new growth. Good light and steady root feeding keep a constant supply of fresh, marbled leaves coming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMy new plant's leaves are melting. Is it dying?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlmost certainly not. Swords grown out of water shed their nursery leaves and regrow submerged ones. Trim the mush, feed the roots, and expect new growth within a couple of weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow big will it get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExpect 10 to 16 inches in a home aquarium, occasionally larger in deep tanks with rich substrate. Give it room; a cramped sword shades everything around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need special substrate?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. It grows in plain gravel or sand as long as you use root tabs. Nutrient-rich aquasoil works too and speeds things up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49051151171803,"sku":null,"price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/e5cc9d48-a355-44ac-9bbd-e0258f42b99d.png?v=1785483314","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/chocolate-marble-sword-echinodorus-sp-chocolate-marble-potted","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}