{"product_id":"narrow-leaf-chain-sword-helanthium-tenellum-potted","title":"Narrow Leaf Chain Sword (Helanthium tenellum) - 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\u003eNarrow Leaf Chain Sword\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eHelanthium tenellum\u003c\/em\u003e) is the easiest true carpeting plant we carry, and the only one that will carpet without CO2 injection. Each potted plant sends out runners across the substrate, chaining new plantlets together until the foreground fills in with fine grassy blades two to four inches tall. Care level is beginner. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003elive freshwater plants\u003c\/a\u003e to build the scape around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E8F5E9;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding:10px 14px;margin:14px 0;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe one thing that decides whether it carpets:\u003c\/strong\u003e light reaching the substrate. In moderate to high light it stays short and spreads sideways. In low light it stretches upward chasing the surface and never fills in.\n\u003c\/div\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\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e foreground and low midground. Plant the individual plantlets an inch or two apart rather than as one clump, and it closes the gaps itself.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e moderate to high. This is the single biggest factor. Under low light it grows tall and thin instead of carpeting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate:\u003c\/strong\u003e a root feeder. It does best in an active plant substrate, and in inert gravel or sand it wants \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-flourish-tabs\"\u003eroot tabs\u003c\/a\u003e pushed in near the crowns.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCO2:\u003c\/strong\u003e not required, which is what sets it apart from dwarf hairgrass and baby tears. CO2 makes it carpet faster and tighter, but it will fill in without.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 82°F. Comfortable across the normal community range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.5 to 7.5.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting:\u003c\/strong\u003e remove the pot and the rock wool before planting. Separate the clump into small portions and bury only the roots, leaving the crown just above the substrate. Burying the crown rots the plant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTrimming:\u003c\/strong\u003e trim runners that wander where you do not want them. Cuttings replant directly.\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\u003cem\u003eHelanthium tenellum\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlso sold as\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eNarrow Leaf Chain Sword, Pygmy Chain Sword, formerly \u003cem\u003eEchinodorus tenellus\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eThe Americas, from the southern United States to Brazil\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;\"\u003e2 to 4 inches\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;\"\u003eForeground carpet\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\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eModerate to high\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, beneficial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePropagation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eRunners\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eForm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePotted\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 only\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;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSafe with almost any community stock. It pairs naturally with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/amazon-sword-echinodorus-grisebachii-potted-freshwater-plant\"\u003eAmazon Sword\u003c\/a\u003e behind it, since both are root feeders that want the same substrate and fertilising routine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatch out for diggers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Anything that roots through the substrate will lift a young carpet before it anchors. Give it a few weeks to establish before adding substrate-sifting fish, and skip it entirely in tanks with large cichlids or goldfish, which uproot and eat soft plants.\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\/seachem-flourish-tabs\"\u003eSeachem Flourish Tabs\u003c\/a\u003e, root tabs for a plant that feeds through its roots\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/additives-supplements\"\u003eLiquid plant fertilisers\u003c\/a\u003e for the water column\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003eMore live plants\u003c\/a\u003e to build out the midground and background\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\u003eHow long does it take to carpet?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSix to ten weeks in moderate light without CO2, faster with it. Plant the portions spaced out rather than in one clump and it fills in much sooner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is mine growing tall instead of spreading?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot enough light reaching the substrate. Tall growth is the plant stretching toward the surface. Raise the light or move it out from under taller plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I take it out of the pot?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Remove the pot and peel away the rock wool from the roots, then split the clump into several small portions and plant them separately. Leave the crown sitting just above the substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this the same as dwarf hairgrass?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Hairgrass is finer and needs more light and usually CO2. Chain sword has wider blades and is far more forgiving, which is why we point beginners to it first.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49162010656987,"sku":null,"price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/8bc7dc75-60cb-42c5-84e1-31b37036b70d.png?v=1787215715","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/narrow-leaf-chain-sword-helanthium-tenellum-potted","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}