Uruguay Sword (Echinodorus uruguayensis) - Potted

Uruguay Sword (Echinodorus uruguayensis) is a sword plant that grows long, narrow, gently wavy ribbon leaves underwater instead of the broad blades most people expect from a sword. The result is a tall, fine-textured clump for the background that moves in the current, a softer look than an Amazon Sword. It is undemanding, needs no CO2, and handles cooler water better than most tropical plants. Pair it with our other live freshwater plants for the rest of the tank.

Care Guide

• The pot will not look like the finished plant. This was grown above water, where it makes wide, oval leaves. Underwater it switches to narrow ribbon leaves. After planting, the broad emersed leaves slowly die back while the new narrow ones grow in. Trim the old ones at the base and leave the plant in place.
• Unpot it before planting. Remove the pot and rockwool and plant it so the crown sits just at the surface of the substrate, not buried.
• Light: moderate. It is not demanding and does fine without high output lighting.
• CO2: not required.
• Fertilizer: a root feeder like every sword. Place Seachem Flourish Tabs near its roots every few months.
• Water: roughly 62 to 80°F, pH 6.0 to 7.5. It is happy on the cooler end, which suits unheated and lightly heated tanks.
• Propagation: new side shoots form from the rhizome. Once one has its own roots, cut it free and replant it.

Specifications

Placement and Companions

Where it goes: the back and back corners of tanks 20 gallons and up, where the long ribbon leaves can arch without shading the whole tank.

Other swords we carry: Amazon Sword for the classic broad leaf, Melon Sword for a wider, rounder look, and Marble Queen Radican Sword for a marbled leaf.

Fish and invertebrates: safe with shrimp, snails and community fish. Its cooler water tolerance also makes it one of the better swords for a heater-free tank, though goldfish may still pick at or uproot it.

Recommended Supplies

• Seachem Flourish Tabs: root tabs for this heavy root feeder.
• CaribSea Eco-Complete: nutrient-rich substrate for swords.
• Seachem Flourish: water column fertilizer to go with the tabs.
• Amazon Sword: a broad-leaved sword to contrast with the ribbons.

FAQ

This does not look like the pictures of narrow leaves. Is it the right plant?
Yes. Nursery pots grow above water and make broad leaves. The narrow wavy leaves are the underwater form and grow in over the first several weeks after planting.

Why are the leaves melting?
Those are the emersed leaves dying back as the plant converts to underwater growth. Trim them at the base, add a root tab, and give it time.

Can it go in a tank without a heater?
Generally yes, if the room stays reasonably warm. It tolerates water into the low 60s °F better than most swords.

Do I need CO2?
No. It grows well in a low tech tank with moderate light and root tabs.