Echinodorus Martii, sometimes called the Ruffled Sword, is a striking Amazon Sword cultivar valued for its broad, wavy-edged green leaves that add real texture and movement to the background of an aquascape. Its bold, upright growth makes a strong centrepiece or backdrop, and its dense leaf cover offers welcome shelter for fish and shrimp. Supplied as a well-rooted Aqua Fleur pot, it's ready to plant and settle in straight away.
Like other Echinodorus, Martii is a heavy root feeder and grows best with a nutrient-rich substrate or root tabs. Moderate to high lighting brings out fuller, more compact growth, though it will also tolerate lower light with a slower growth rate. CO2 isn't essential, but it will encourage larger, healthier leaves alongside regular fertilising.
At a glance:
- Placement: background/centrepiece
- Light: low to high (fuller growth with more light)
- Growth rate: moderate
- Difficulty: easy, suitable for beginners
- CO2: not essential, but benefits growth
- Format: Aqua Fleur potted plant, well-rooted and ready to plant