- Sku: 8657360
- Vendor: Squeaky's Aquatics
Echinodorus Aflame - Bag
Your order is reserved — we hold off on packaging until you arrive, so it stays healthy in its display tank.
Echinodorus 'Aflame' is a striking red-and-bronze sword plant cultivar that delivers showpiece color without the size of a full-grown Amazon sword. Young leaves come in deep crimson, then mature to a coppery green with red veins — a focal-point plant that holds attention in any midground or background. Pair with the rest of our freshwater plants.
Care Guide
| Care Level | Easy to intermediate |
| Lighting | Moderate to high (more light = redder leaves) |
| CO₂ | Beneficial; not strictly required |
| Temperature | 72–82°F |
| pH | 6.0–7.8 |
| Placement | Midground to background — root in substrate |
| Mature Size | 6–12 in / 15–30 cm tall |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
Why Echinodorus Aflame
- Red focal-point plant — most red sword cultivars are huge; Aflame stays compact while keeping the dramatic color.
- Hardy and forgiving — tolerates a wide range of conditions, including African cichlid and community tanks with higher hardness.
- Root feeder — thrives with root tabs in inert substrate; pulls the color out faster in nutrient-rich aquasoil.
- Snail-free bagged plant — supplied in a fresh portion bag, ready to rinse and plant directly into substrate.
- Great African cichlid plant — tolerates higher pH/KH conditions; pair with Anubias for a hardy planted cichlid setup.
How to Plant
- Rinse off any gel or shipping medium in dechlorinated water.
- Plant the roots in substrate, keeping the crown (where leaves meet roots) at the substrate surface — don’t bury the crown.
- Add a root tab near the base every 2–3 months to keep colors strong, especially in inert gravel or sand.
- Trim old or damaged outer leaves at the base; new red leaves emerge from the center.
Recommended Pairings
- Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini' — another red plant with a smaller, foreground habit.
- Dwarf Hairgrass — green carpet contrast under the red sword.
- More freshwater plants — round out your aquascape.
- CaribSea PyroFlora Substrate — mineral-rich planted-tank soil for vibrant plant growth.
FAQ
How red will it actually get?
Color depends on light intensity and iron availability. Under moderate light it leans bronze-green with red veining; high light + iron dosing pushes the leaves to a deep crimson.
Can I grow it without CO₂?
Yes. Growth is slower and the form is more compact — leaves stay smaller and the plant tolerates low-tech setups well.
Will it outgrow my tank?
Less likely than a standard Amazon sword. Aflame typically tops out around 8–10 in submersed, making it suitable for 20-gallon-plus tanks as a focal-point plant.
Is it safe with African cichlids?
Yes, it’s one of the more cichlid-tolerant sword cultivars. Stick to less aggressive species; large mbuna may still uproot anything you plant.
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Echinodorus Aflame - Bag
