Echinodorus tenellus

Pygmy Chain Sword is one of the easiest carpeting foreground plants to keep and it can even thrive in low-light/low-tech setups! 

Pygmy Chain Sword (Helanthium tenellum, formerly known as Echinodorus tenellus) is a long-celebrated carpeting foreground plant in the aquarium hobby due to its ease of care and attractive grass-like appearance. This prolific plant can thrive under most levels of lighting and does not have any special requirements beyond nutrient-rich substrate (which is a requirement of most aquatic plants with roots). It propagates through runners and plantlets, which can be clipped and replanted elsewhere in the aquarium. It can also be planted emersed in terrariums, paludariums, and viquariums.

Care for Pygmy Chain Sword is very simple. It grows quickly when provided with nutrient-rich substrate and moderate to high lighting. It will grow at a slower pace under lower lighting. It should not be planted in the shadows of taller plants. Under optimal conditions, it can grow at such a rate that it needs to pruned regularly. Like many plants, this plant will respond significantly to CO2, but it does not require it.   

What We Like About This Plant:

• Excellent in low-tech setups
• Prolific and easy to prune
• Distinctive foreground plant
• Very easy to maintain

Care Guidelines:

• Temperature: 68° - 84° F (20° - 29° C)
• pH: 6.2 - 7.5
• Lighting: Low to High
  
• Aquarium placement: Foreground to Midground
• Care: Easy