Red Devil sword is one of the smaller red swords, and an easy one. It makes a good midground centerpiece, or a background plant in a nano tank.
Did you know
The red of Red Devil sword comes from anthocyanins, pigments that build up under stronger light. The same mechanism colors other red swords. Under high light, one plant can look like a different variety.
Caring for Red Devil sword
Plant Red Devil sword in a nutrient-rich substrate with root tabs, and keep the crown just above the surface. It also feeds from the water, so a liquid fertilizer helps.
Brighter light pulls out the deep red color, while dim light leaves it mostly green. CO2 is optional but helps growth and color. Keep it at 68 to 82°F (20 to 28°C) and a pH of 6 to 7.5.
It grows fast and tops out around 25 to 30 cm. Keep water parameters stable, as sudden swings can trigger melt. Propagate it by side shoots, plantlets or rhizome division.
Good to know
Red Devil sword is a cultivar, not a wild species, so it has no valid Latin binomial. Its name is written in single quotes, as Echinodorus 'Red Devil'. The genus Echinodorus belongs to the family Alismataceae.
In the wild
Red Devil sword is a nursery-produced hybrid with no wild population, bred from a cross of several Echinodorus species. It grows as a compact submersedrosette. New leaves emerge deep ruby to burgundy and settle toward reddish green as they mature.
Common questions
Does Red Devil 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 Red Devil sword need CO2?
No, but it helps. Red Devil sword can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.
How much light does Red Devil sword need?
Red Devil sword wants medium light. A light sold for planted tanks covers it.
Does Red Devil sword need root tabs?
They help. Red Devil sword takes nutrients through both its roots and its leaves. Root tabs near its roots and a liquid fertilizer cover both.
How do you propagate Red Devil sword?
Red Devil sword propagates by side shoots, plantlets and rhizome division. Cut a side shoot off once it has a few leaves and plant it on its own. Small plantlets form on the plant and can be detached once they have a few roots.
How tall does Red Devil sword grow?
Red Devil sword grows to about 11.8 in (30 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)