Helanthium bolivianum 'Angustifolius'
Helanthium bolivianum 'Angustifolius'
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Planting & care
- PlacementMidground, Background
- Growth typeRosette plant
- LightMedium
- CO2Recommended
- Height7.9–23.6" (20–60 cm)
About this plant
Helanthium bolivianum 'Angustifolius', formerly Echinodorus angustifolius, is a tall runner-forming sword plant probably originating from Mato Grosso in Brazil. Its submerged leaves are only about 3 to 4 mm wide but commonly reach 50 cm and can exceed 60 cm, so this is not the small lawn-forming plant sometimes sold under a similar name. Young daughter plants may appear at around 20 cm and quickly extend into the middle or background. The species is easy and spreads rapidly through long runners, which need regular control in smaller aquariums. Medium light is sufficient, while stronger light and added carbon dioxide encourage faster, more compact growth. Pale new leaves can indicate a shortage of iron or other trace elements. Plant the rosettes with the crown above the substrate and separate unwanted runners before they form a dense chain. Its narrow, flowing leaves provide a Vallisneria-like effect with the growth pattern of a runner-forming Helanthium.
Quick specs
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Light
- Medium
- CO₂
- Recommended
- Temperature
- 50–86°F (10–30°C)
- Placement
- Midground, Background
- Growth type
- Rosette plant
- Aquarium suitability
- Suitable for aquariums Suitable for long-term aquarium use.
- Approx. height
- 7.9–23.6" (20–60 cm)
Water conditions
Plant reference ranges, not dosing instructions or measurements from your aquarium. Consider livestock needs and measured conditions.
- Preferred temperature
- 68–79°F (20–26°C)
- Temperature
- 50–86°F (10–30°C)
- pH
- 5–7.5
- Carbonate hardness
- 0–14 °dKH
- CO₂ (mg/L)
- 10–40 mg/L
Growth & placement
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Width
- 0.1–0.2" (0.3–0.4 cm)
- Propagation
- Runners
- Color
- Green
Grow it successfully
What you’ll need to grow Helanthium bolivianum 'Angustifolius'
Start with this plant’s documented care needs, then use an AquariumLesson calculator to size the setup for your aquarium.
CO₂
This plant’s care profile lists CO₂ injection as recommended, not required.
Estimate dissolved CO₂Substrate
A suitable substrate or targeted root nutrition can support this plant's growth habit.
Calculate how much substrate you needTaxonomy
- Major group
- Angiosperms
- Family
- Alismataceae
- Genus
- Helanthium
- Botanical name
- Helanthium bolivianum 'Angustifolius'
