Echinodorus barthii

This reddish sword plant is very easy to grow, making few special demands on the hobbyist other than a nutrient rich substrate. Although strong lighting and CO2 injection promote vigorous growth, a moderately lit (1.5-2 watts per gallon), non-CO2 aquarium will suit the needs of this hybrid. The regular addition of fertilizer sticks at the roots of this plant will enhance the health and coloration. As with most of its genus, E. x barthii grows best in moderately hard water.

Echinodorus x bartii (family Alismataceae). This species has very dark red  new leaves that change colour to dark green as they get older. Echinodorus x bartii does not tolerate low temperatures well and in the winter the plant  does not flower at all and has a very low or flattened growth habit. This  plant does not grow as fast as the other species but can do well in a well  lit aquarium where it is not shaded by other species. Day length seems to  affect the propagation of this species as it does not seem to produce as many  flower stalks and so less plantlets. Echinodorus x barthii, sometimes known as the red melon sword, was one of the first commercially available hybrid red sword plants. It was very popular during a time when there were few red-hued plants on the market.

• Hardiness: Easy
• Light Needs: Medium to high
• Plant Structure: Rosette
• Size: Height: 25-50cm (10-20in)
• Growth Rate: Medium
• Can Be Grown Emersed: Yes
• Temperature 16-28 °C
• Hardness tolerance soft-hard
• pH tolerance 6-9

The leaves change colour from dark-red in the youngest leaves to dark-green in the oldest. The colour develops well when the light intensity is high and there are sufficient micro-nutrients in the aquarium. A nutritious bottom and CO₂ addition promote growth. This plant takes a lot of light from plants underneath, so it must be pruned occasionally.

Habitat

This is an aquatic emergent plant. It has very high moisture needs; suitable for bogs and water gardens.