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Oriental sword

Echinodorus 'Oriental'

Also known as Echinodorus Oriental, Oriental sword plant, Pink sword

FreshwaterRosetteSide shootsPlantletsRhizome division

Care at a glance

Light
High light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Growth rate
Slow
Placement
Midground
Type
Rosette
Temperature
64–82°F (18–28°C)
pH
6.5–7.5
Hardness
3–12 dGH
Max height
11.8 in (30 cm)
Spread
5.9 in (15 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed
Difficulty
Easy
Origin
Cultivated hybrid (Germany, no wild range)
Family
Alismataceae

Overview

Prized for pastel pink new leaves, best shown off as a midground specimen in a tank with strong light, since the color washes out under low light. It is a slow grower and a heavy root feeder, so plant it in rich substrate with root tabs and leave it undisturbed to build a root system. CO2 is not required but improves growth and color intensity. Remove faded outer leaves so fresh pink growth stays visible.

In the wild

A cultivated hybrid with no wild population, developed from a spontaneous mutation of Echinodorus 'Rose'. It grows as a submersed rosette whose youngest leaves are a soft, semi-transparent pink that deepens to red with green veins before hardening to green with wavy margins.

Good to know

Echinodorus 'Oriental' arose as a mutation of Echinodorus 'Rose', which itself is a hybrid of Echinodorus horemanii 'Red' and Echinodorus horizontalis first raised by Hans Barth in Germany. As a cultivar it carries no wild binomial. The pink coloration is strongest on new growth and fades as each leaf ages.

Did you know

The signature pink is a moving target. Only the newest leaves are pink, so the plant constantly renews its color from the center while older leaves green out, meaning a healthy specimen always has a rosy crown.

Where to buy

Some links may not be the exact species or variety.

…or ask your local fish store.

Appears in

High-light plants · Midground plants · Sword plants · Beginner plants

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