🌱 Echinodorus quadricostatus – Care Guide
Echinodorus quadricostatus (sometimes referred to as Helanthium quadricostatus in newer classifications) is a fast-growing, carpeting plant from the Amazon basin. Despite being part of the Echinodorus genus (typically known for large sword plants), this species stays compact and is ideal for foreground or midground placement.
🔎 Overview
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Scientific Name: Echinodorus quadricostatus (aka Helanthium bolivianus "quadricostatus")
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Common Names: Dwarf Sword Plant, Chain Sword
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Origin: South America (mainly Brazil, Bolivia, and surrounding areas)
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Growth Form: Rosette with narrow, grass-like leaves
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Size: 5–15 cm (2–6 inches) tall
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Placement: Foreground or low midground
💡 Care Requirements
🔆 Lighting
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Moderate to high lighting for compact, carpet-like growth
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In low light, it tends to grow upward and lanky instead of spreading horizontally
💨 CO₂
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Not required, but strongly recommended for dense, fast carpet formation
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Grows significantly faster with CO₂
💧 Water Parameters
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Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F)
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pH: 6.0–7.5
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Hardness: Soft to medium hardness
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Flow: Tolerates various flow levels; moderate preferred
🧪 Nutrients
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Root feeder – benefits from a nutrient-rich substrate
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Add root tabs if using inert substrates
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Also absorbs nutrients from the water column—supplement with liquid fertilizers
✂️ Growth & Maintenance
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Growth Rate: Fast
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Forms dense runners that can quickly carpet the foreground
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Trim back or replant runners to control spread and density
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Remove dying or shaded leaves to maintain appearance
🌱 Propagation
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Spreads via stolons (runners) that form baby plants a few inches away
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Let them grow and root, then trim and replant if desired
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Ideal for carpeting large areas over time
🪴 Aquascaping Tips
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Excellent choice for carpeting in medium to large tanks
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Pairs well with vertical or broadleaf plants like Cryptocoryne, Pogostemon helferi, or Java Fern
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Works beautifully in nature-style, Dutch, or Amazon biotope aquascapes
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Provides shelter and spawning ground for small fish and shrimp
