{"product_id":"echinodorus-aflame-red-sword-freshwater-aquarium-plant","title":"Echinodorus Aflame - Bag","description":"\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 Pick up at \u003cstrong\u003e1885 Braselton Hwy, Suite D, Lawrenceville, GA\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cbr\u003eYour order is reserved — we hold off on packaging until you arrive, so it stays healthy in its display tank.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEchinodorus 'Aflame'\u003c\/strong\u003e 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 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003efreshwater plants\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\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\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;margin:6px 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;width:40%;\"\u003eCare Level\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eEasy to intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;\"\u003eLighting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eModerate to high (more light = redder leaves)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;\"\u003eCO₂\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeneficial; not strictly required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72–82°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;\"\u003epH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6.0–7.8\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;\"\u003ePlacement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMidground to background — root in substrate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;\"\u003eMature Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6–12 in \/ 15–30 cm tall\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;\"\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\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;\"\u003eWhy Echinodorus Aflame\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRed focal-point plant\u003c\/strong\u003e — most red sword cultivars are huge; Aflame stays compact while keeping the dramatic color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardy and forgiving\u003c\/strong\u003e — tolerates a wide range of conditions, including African cichlid and community tanks with higher hardness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoot feeder\u003c\/strong\u003e — thrives with root tabs in inert substrate; pulls the color out faster in nutrient-rich aquasoil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSnail-free bagged plant\u003c\/strong\u003e — supplied in a fresh portion bag, ready to rinse and plant directly into substrate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGreat African cichlid plant\u003c\/strong\u003e — tolerates higher pH\/KH conditions; pair with \u003cem\u003eAnubias\u003c\/em\u003e for a hardy planted cichlid setup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\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;\"\u003eHow to Plant\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRinse off any gel or shipping medium in dechlorinated water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlant the roots in substrate, keeping the crown (where leaves meet roots) at the substrate surface — don’t bury the crown.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd a root tab near the base every 2–3 months to keep colors strong, especially in inert gravel or sand.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTrim old or damaged outer leaves at the base; new red leaves emerge from the center.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\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 Pairings\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/alternanthera-reineckii-mini-freshwater-plant\"\u003eAlternanthera reineckii 'Mini'\u003c\/a\u003e — another red plant with a smaller, foreground habit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/dwarf-hairgrass-eleocharis-acicularis-freshwater\"\u003eDwarf Hairgrass\u003c\/a\u003e — green carpet contrast under the red sword.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003eMore freshwater plants\u003c\/a\u003e — round out your aquascape.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/caribsea-pyroflora-volcanic-substrate-6-lbs\"\u003eCaribSea PyroFlora Substrate\u003c\/a\u003e — mineral-rich planted-tank soil for vibrant plant growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\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\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow red will it actually get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eColor 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I grow it without CO₂?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Growth is slower and the form is more compact — leaves stay smaller and the plant tolerates low-tech setups well.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it outgrow my tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLess 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it safe with African cichlids?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, it’s one of the more cichlid-tolerant sword cultivars. Stick to less aggressive species; large mbuna may still uproot anything you plant.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48541506470107,"sku":"8657360","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_68ffe689-a7d5-464b-9405-804f78e26df5.png?v=1775048094","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/echinodorus-aflame-red-sword-freshwater-aquarium-plant","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}