Cultivated (selection of the Echinodorus 'Ozelot' hybrid line)
Overview
Ozelot Narrow Mini sword is a forgiving rosette for the midground. Its smaller footprint fits tanks that the full-size Ozelot would swamp.
Did you know
The spots of Ozelot Narrow Mini sword are strongest on young leaves and fade as each blade ages. A plant that is growing steadily always looks more boldly patterned than one that has stalled.
Caring for Ozelot Narrow Mini sword
Plant Ozelot Narrow Mini sword in a nutrient-rich substrate or keep root tabs under it, with the crown just above the surface. Like all swords, it is a heavy root feeder. It tolerates a wide range of light and water, and it is comfortable at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C).
Moderate light keeps the spotted pattern strong, and shaded plants lose it. CO2 is optional and mostly buys speed. It grows fast and reaches about 25 cm.
Old outer leaves get ragged, so remove tired leaves at the base. New plants come from plantlets on submersed flower stalks, and mature crowns can be divided.
Good to know
Ozelot Narrow Mini sword is a sword plant in the family Alismataceae. The Ozelot line came from Hans Barth's crosses of Echinodorus schlueteri 'Leopard' and Echinodorus barthii in Dessau, Germany. This form keeps the trademark dark spotting on slimmer, shorter blades. Cultivar names in Echinodorus are trade designations, not taxonomy, and the spotting varies from leaf to leaf.
In the wild
Ozelot Narrow Mini sword is a compact, narrow-leaved selection from the Echinodorus 'Ozelot' line and exists only in cultivation. How it arose has not been published. Ozelot itself is a German-bred hybrid with no wild range. Its parent species grow in South American marshes and on riverbanks, emersed for much of the year and submersed in the wet season.
Common questions
Does Ozelot Narrow Mini sword need to be planted in the substrate?
Yes. Bury the roots and leave the crown, where the leaves join, just above the substrate.
Does Ozelot Narrow Mini sword need CO2?
No, but it helps. Ozelot Narrow Mini sword can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.
How much light does Ozelot Narrow Mini sword need?
Ozelot Narrow Mini sword wants medium light. A light sold for planted tanks covers it.
Does Ozelot Narrow Mini sword need root tabs?
Yes. Ozelot Narrow Mini sword draws much of its food through its roots. Push root tabs in near it, or grow it in a nutrient-rich soil.
How do you propagate Ozelot Narrow Mini sword?
Ozelot Narrow Mini sword propagates by plantlets and rhizome division. Small plantlets form on the plant and can be detached once they have a few roots. Cut the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each, then tie or plant each piece.
How tall does Ozelot Narrow Mini sword grow?
Ozelot Narrow Mini sword grows to about 9.8 in (25 cm) tall. It grows fast, so expect to trim it often.
Low lightMidground7.9 in (20 cm)
Medium lightBackground19.7 in (50 cm)
High lightBackground19.7 in (50 cm)
Medium lightBackground19.7 in (50 cm)