Echinodorus Bleheri Amazon Sword
Echinodorus Bleheri (Amazon Sword) is the workhorse large-leaf rosette for freshwater aquascapes — hardy, low-maintenance and very cost-effective for background massing. It outcompetes pricier, color-focused varieties like Ozelot Red on a per-leaf-cost basis and offers year-round reliability unlike seasonal bulbs such as Aponogeton Ulvaceus. For aquascapers seeking big green structure with minimal technical overhead, Bleheri delivers the best value and predictable growth.
Jungle-sized leaves — mini rainforest
Robust rootstock — tank anchor
Jungle-sized leaves — mini rainforest
Robust rootstock — tank anchor
Review Summary
"Buyers praise the Echinodorus Bleheri (Amazon Sword) as a hardy, fast-growing centerpiece plant that establishes easily and provides large, attractive rosettes; a minority report occasional melting on arrival but most plants recover quickly. Overall it’s considered reliable and low-maintenance for freshwater aquascapes."
Background staple — green fortress
Large broad rosette leaves up to 30 cm ideal as a mid-ground or background anchor.
Background staple — green fortress
Large broad rosette leaves up to 30 cm ideal as a mid-ground or background anchor.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Echinodorus Bleheri (Amazon Sword) is the workhorse large-leaf rosette for freshwater aquascapes — hardy, low-maintenance and very cost-effective for background massing. It outcompetes pricier, color-focused varieties like Ozelot Red on a per-leaf-cost basis and offers year-round reliability unlike seasonal bulbs such as Aponogeton Ulvaceus. For aquascapers seeking big green structure with minimal technical overhead, Bleheri delivers the best value and predictable growth.
Jungle-sized leaves — mini rainforest
Robust rootstock — tank anchor
Background staple — green fortress
Large broad rosette leaves up to 30 cm ideal as a mid-ground or background anchor.
Moderate light and nutrient-rich substrate promote steady growth; tolerant of 22–28°C.
Jungle-sized leaves — mini rainforest
Robust rootstock — tank anchor
Background staple — green fortress
Large broad rosette leaves up to 30 cm ideal as a mid-ground or background anchor.
Moderate light and nutrient-rich substrate promote steady growth; tolerant of 22–28°C.
Echinodorus Ozelot Red
Echinodorus Ozelot Red is the market leader when color and dramatic mottling are the design goal, providing red-suffused, patterned leaves that act as focal points in large-leaf rosette layouts. Tropica’s tissue-cultured stock gives cleaner, pest-free specimens at a premium, and while it requires stronger lighting and nutrients than a basic Amazon Sword, the visual payoff and faster show-tank ROI justify the higher upfront cost. Compared with floating lilies like Nymphaea Lotus Red Tiger, Ozelot Red keeps the visual weight lower in the water column for layered aquascapes.
Red-veined rosette — fiery spots
Compact spread — leopard chic
Red-veined rosette — fiery spots
Compact spread — leopard chic
Review Summary
"The Echinodorus Ozelot Red is admired for its striking red and spotted foliage and visual impact, but many users note it can be slower to grow and more finicky about light and fertilization, with some color loss in lower-tech tanks. Enthusiasts who provide good lighting and nutrients report the best results."
Color pop focal — aquarium lipstick
Distinctive red-speckled leaves provide dramatic color contrast in the midground.
Color pop focal — aquarium lipstick
Distinctive red-speckled leaves provide dramatic color contrast in the midground.
Recreational Enjoyment
Self-Improvement & Personal Growth
Skill Development & Mastery
Echinodorus Ozelot Red is the market leader when color and dramatic mottling are the design goal, providing red-suffused, patterned leaves that act as focal points in large-leaf rosette layouts. Tropica’s tissue-cultured stock gives cleaner, pest-free specimens at a premium, and while it requires stronger lighting and nutrients than a basic Amazon Sword, the visual payoff and faster show-tank ROI justify the higher upfront cost. Compared with floating lilies like Nymphaea Lotus Red Tiger, Ozelot Red keeps the visual weight lower in the water column for layered aquascapes.
Red-veined rosette — fiery spots
Compact spread — leopard chic
Color pop focal — aquarium lipstick
Distinctive red-speckled leaves provide dramatic color contrast in the midground.
Prefers brighter light and iron-rich fertilization to maintain red tones.
Red-veined rosette — fiery spots
Compact spread — leopard chic
Color pop focal — aquarium lipstick
Distinctive red-speckled leaves provide dramatic color contrast in the midground.
Prefers brighter light and iron-rich fertilization to maintain red tones.
$15-50 CAD
Echinodorus Rose
Echinodorus Rose is prized for its compact rosette and subtle pink-rose tones that suit midground placements in high-end planted aquaria; ADA’s selection is tuned for predictability in size and form. It occupies the niche between the large, democratic leaves of Bleheri and the flamboyant reds of Ozelot Red by offering a refined look for CO2‑rich, technical layouts, albeit at a premium price. For aquascapers who prioritize precise composition and reliable scaling, Echinodorus Rose brings a technical advantage in controlled growth habit.
Rose-tinted leaves — blushing giant
Dense growth — privacy screen
Rose-tinted leaves — blushing giant
Dense growth — privacy screen
Review Summary
"Echinodorus Rose is valued for its subtle pinkish tones and compact rosette habit that suits midground placement; reviewers commonly mention sensitivity when acclimating after shipping, though most plants recover and develop attractive coloration with proper care. It’s seen as a moderately easy but slightly delicate species."
Easy propagator — garden party
Showy rose-tinted broad leaves suited for prominent midground placement.
Easy propagator — garden party
Showy rose-tinted broad leaves suited for prominent midground placement.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Echinodorus Rose is prized for its compact rosette and subtle pink-rose tones that suit midground placements in high-end planted aquaria; ADA’s selection is tuned for predictability in size and form. It occupies the niche between the large, democratic leaves of Bleheri and the flamboyant reds of Ozelot Red by offering a refined look for CO2‑rich, technical layouts, albeit at a premium price. For aquascapers who prioritize precise composition and reliable scaling, Echinodorus Rose brings a technical advantage in controlled growth habit.
Rose-tinted leaves — blushing giant
Dense growth — privacy screen
Easy propagator — garden party
Showy rose-tinted broad leaves suited for prominent midground placement.
Thrives with moderate to high lighting and nutrient-dense substrate; benefits from CO2.
Rose-tinted leaves — blushing giant
Dense growth — privacy screen
Easy propagator — garden party
Showy rose-tinted broad leaves suited for prominent midground placement.
Thrives with moderate to high lighting and nutrient-dense substrate; benefits from CO2.
Nymphaea Lotus Red Tiger
Nymphaea Lotus Red Tiger delivers dramatic surface pads and deep red undersides that add vertical and color contrast unmatched by submerged rosette species, making it a go-to for focal or center-stage placement in large tanks. It is technically more demanding — needing strong intensity and regular pruning — and often carries higher shipping and initial costs owing to size, but it reduces the need for layered background plants by providing instant canopy and surface texture. Compared with fixed rosette growers like Echinodorus varieties, the Red Tiger offers a different sculptural element that can justify the extra investment for show aquaria.
Tiger-pattern pads — zebra drama
Surface shade — midday siesta
Tiger-pattern pads — zebra drama
Surface shade — midday siesta
Review Summary
"Nymphaea Lotus Red Tiger receives praise for dramatic, tiger-striped red leaves that make a strong focal point, but many users warn it’s temperamental to acclimate, can grow very large, and may melt back before establishing. It’s popular with experienced aquarists who can manage its size and light/nutrient needs."
Dramatic bloom — royal float
Large floating-leaf rosette with red-tiger patterned leaves that create a striking surface focal point.
Dramatic bloom — royal float
Large floating-leaf rosette with red-tiger patterned leaves that create a striking surface focal point.
Recreational Enjoyment
Self-Improvement & Personal Growth
Nymphaea Lotus Red Tiger delivers dramatic surface pads and deep red undersides that add vertical and color contrast unmatched by submerged rosette species, making it a go-to for focal or center-stage placement in large tanks. It is technically more demanding — needing strong intensity and regular pruning — and often carries higher shipping and initial costs owing to size, but it reduces the need for layered background plants by providing instant canopy and surface texture. Compared with fixed rosette growers like Echinodorus varieties, the Red Tiger offers a different sculptural element that can justify the extra investment for show aquaria.
Tiger-pattern pads — zebra drama
Surface shade — midday siesta
Dramatic bloom — royal float
Large floating-leaf rosette with red-tiger patterned leaves that create a striking surface focal point.
Requires deep substrate or planting baskets and moderate to high light; prefers 22–28°C.
Tiger-pattern pads — zebra drama
Surface shade — midday siesta
Dramatic bloom — royal float
Large floating-leaf rosette with red-tiger patterned leaves that create a striking surface focal point.
Requires deep substrate or planting baskets and moderate to high light; prefers 22–28°C.
$25-80 CAD
Aponogeton Ulvaceus Bulb
Aponogeton Ulvaceus (bulb) is the fast-growing seasonal option that produces large, undulating leaves ideal for temporary midground-to-background impact while remaining economical to ship and replace in bulb form. Its bulb dormancy cycle is a technical consideration — requiring occasional resting periods — but the low upfront cost per bulb and explosive seasonal growth make it an attractive budget strategy compared with permanently maintained rosettes like Echinodorus Bleheri. For aquascapers who want rapid coverage or a rotating display without large ongoing nutrient demands, Aponogeton Ulvaceus offers a financially sensible, high-impact solution.
Lacy leaves — waving dancers
Bulbous starter — pop-up show
Lacy leaves — waving dancers
Bulbous starter — pop-up show
Review Summary
"Aponogeton ulvaceus bulbs are frequently lauded for rapid, lush growth and elegant long ribbon leaves and flowers; reviewers note bulbs sometimes arrive dormant or rotten from poor shipping but, when healthy, they perform exceptionally well. Overall buyers find them excellent value for a dramatic background plant."
Seasonal blooms — nightly fireworks
Long ribbon-like leaves form a large rosette great for background movement and oxygenation.
Seasonal blooms — nightly fireworks
Long ribbon-like leaves form a large rosette great for background movement and oxygenation.
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
Aponogeton Ulvaceus (bulb) is the fast-growing seasonal option that produces large, undulating leaves ideal for temporary midground-to-background impact while remaining economical to ship and replace in bulb form. Its bulb dormancy cycle is a technical consideration — requiring occasional resting periods — but the low upfront cost per bulb and explosive seasonal growth make it an attractive budget strategy compared with permanently maintained rosettes like Echinodorus Bleheri. For aquascapers who want rapid coverage or a rotating display without large ongoing nutrient demands, Aponogeton Ulvaceus offers a financially sensible, high-impact solution.
Lacy leaves — waving dancers
Bulbous starter — pop-up show
Seasonal blooms — nightly fireworks
Long ribbon-like leaves form a large rosette great for background movement and oxygenation.
Prefers bright light, nutrient-rich substrate, and stable temperatures; may have seasonal dormancy.
Lacy leaves — waving dancers
Bulbous starter — pop-up show
Seasonal blooms — nightly fireworks
Long ribbon-like leaves form a large rosette great for background movement and oxygenation.
Prefers bright light, nutrient-rich substrate, and stable temperatures; may have seasonal dormancy.