Uruguay sword

Echinodorus uruguayensis

Also known as Uruguayan Sword Plant, Echinodorus uruguayensis 'africanus', Aquarius uruguayensis, Echinodorus aschersonianus, Echinodorus ascherianus, Echinodorus africanus, Echinodorus veronikae, Echinodorus viridis

FreshwaterRosetteRhizome divisionPlantlets

Uruguay sword (Echinodorus uruguayensis) — Aquarium Plants Factory · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light: Medium light
CO2: CO₂ beneficial
Temperature: 61–79°F; 16–26°C
Max height: 21.7 in; 55 cm

Growth rate: Medium
Placement: Background
Type: Rosette
pH: 6.0–7.8
Hardness: 4–18 dGH
Spread: 11.8 in (30 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Root feeder
Growth region: Submersed
Difficulty: Easy
Family: Alismataceae
Origin: South America (Uruguay, southern Brazil, Paraguay, NE Argentina)

Overview

Uruguay sword is an easy rosette sword that grows tall, so it belongs in the background.

Did you know

Uruguay sword is one of the few sword plants happy in cooler, unheated tanks. It suits subtropical fish kept at temperatures too cool for a typical warm-water Amazon sword.

Caring for Uruguay sword

Plant Uruguay sword in a deep, nutrient-rich substrate with the crown just above the surface. It is a heavy root feeder, so keep root tabs near it for dense, robust growth.

Medium light suits it, and it grows without injected CO2. CO2 and iron dosing bring out fuller leaves and better color. Keep the water at 61 to 79°F (16 to 26°C).

It grows at a moderate pace, and the rosette needs room to spread. Propagate it by dividing the rhizome or by detaching plantlets once they have a few roots.

Good to know

Uruguay sword is a true rosette sword in the water-plantain family, Alismataceae. Its long, narrow blades are a slightly translucent green. Its taxonomy is tangled. Plants sold as the form 'africanus' belong here too, and some botanists place the genus Echinodorus under Aquarius. Unlike many swords, it stays submersed reliably rather than pushing up emersed leaves.

In the wild

Uruguay sword grows in rivers and streams across southern South America, in Uruguay, southern Brazil, Paraguay and northeastern Argentina. It comes from cooler subtropical waters and grows fully submersed, rooted in riverbed sediment as a large rosette.

Common questions

Does Uruguay 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 Uruguay sword need CO2?

No, but it helps. Uruguay sword can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does Uruguay sword need?

Uruguay sword wants medium light. A light sold for planted tanks covers it.

Does Uruguay sword need root tabs?

Yes. Uruguay 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 Uruguay sword?

Uruguay sword propagates by rhizome division and plantlets. Cut the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each, then tie or plant each piece. Small plantlets form on the plant and can be detached once they have a few roots.