Red Melon Sword (Echinodorus Barthii)

Red Melon Sword (Echinodorus Barthii)

Red Melon Sword—often sold as Echinodorus ‘Barthii’—is a bold, big-leaf sword plant that brings instant presence to a planted aquarium. It produces broad, arching leaves that can shift from rich green to warm copper, golden-red, and deeper red tones depending on light and nutrition. With contrasting reddish-brown stems and a full rosette shape, it’s the kind of plant that quickly becomes a centerpiece—even in a heavily planted tank.  

Red Melon Sword Overview

If you like the classic “Amazon Sword” look but want more color and drama, Red Melon Sword is a standout. It creates structure, depth, and a natural “backdrop” feel, while still reading as a focal plant from across the room.

Aquarists appreciate Red Melon Sword for:

• Large, showy leaves: creates a lush, mature look as it fills in
• Warm red/copper coloration: color intensifies with better light and nutrition
• Great focal-point plant: anchors the midground or background of the scape
• Practical coverage: naturally hides heaters, intakes, and equipment behind foliage

For aquascaping, Red Melon Sword works best as a “backbone” plant you build around. Place it in the mid-to-back area, then layer smaller textures in front—like low foreground plants or compact midground clumps—to create a smooth transition into the sword’s broader leaves. It also pairs beautifully with stone-focused layouts using aquascaping rock, where the warm tones provide contrast against cool rock color, and a light scatter of botanicals such as Aquatic Catappa Leaves helps complete a natural, river-edge feel.

Care Guide for Red Melon Sword

Red Melon Sword is undemanding, but it rewards a well-fed root zone. Like most Echinodorus species, it’s a strong root feeder, meaning it will grow larger, fuller, and more colorful when it has access to nutrients in the substrate. It can grow in gravel, but it typically performs best in a nutrient-rich planted substrate or with routine root tabs placed near (not directly on top of) the crown.

If you want deeper red coloration, focus on consistency: moderate-to-strong lighting, steady fertilization, and a good source of micronutrients—especially iron—can help bring out richer copper and red tones. Plant it with the crown just above the substrate line (don’t bury the crown), and remove older outer leaves as needed to keep the plant looking fresh and to encourage strong new growth from the center.

• Light: Moderate (stronger light supports more intense red coloration)
• Temperature Range: 70–82°F
• Placement: Midground–Background
• CO₂: Not required (beneficial for faster growth)
• Difficulty: Easy
• Growth Rate: Moderate

Once established, Red Melon Sword becomes one of those plants that makes the tank feel “alive.” Fish naturally use the broad leaves as cover and a sense of structure, weaving between them and resting in the calmer spaces the plant creates. And many aquarists have observed species like Angelfish and Discus using sword leaves as a spawning surface—one more reason this plant feels like a true centerpiece rather than just decoration.

We also offer many other varieties of sword plants, including Amazon Sword, Melon Sword, and Red Flame Sword.

Shopping With Confidence at Modern Aquarium

When you’re buying live plants, the difference is rarely the species name—it’s the quality of the specimen, how it’s handled, and how it’s packed and shipped. At Modern Aquarium, we focus on delivering plants that arrive clean, healthy, and ready to thrive—backed by responsive support if you need a hand.

• Hand-inspected & prepared plants: Every plant is inspected and prepped before shipping so you receive healthy specimens, not a “grab-bag” pull.
• Fast, reliable shipping for live plants: We pack carefully and ship quickly by FedEx 2-Day Delivery to minimize transit stress and help plants arrive in great condition.
• Live Arrival Guarantee: Your live plant order is protected—so you can buy with confidence.
• Top Quality Store + real reviews: Modern Aquarium has been trusted by and has thousands of verified customer reviews.
• Trusted Sourcing: Our plants are sourced from the best nursery in Florida and are handled with care from the grower to your aquarium.
• What You See Is What You Get: Every image on our site is a typical representation of the plants we sell—no unrealistic stock photos. Because live plants are natural products, individual specimens will vary in size, fullness, and coloration.
• Real support when you need it: If you have any questions about what to expect from your order, how to plant your new specimen, or the best starter plants for your tank, reach out to us any time!

Red Melon Sword is a high-impact, easy-care centerpiece that brings lush structure and warm color to the midground/background while giving fish a natural place to weave, rest, and even spawn. Feed the roots, keep the crown above the substrate, and you’ll be rewarded with a fuller, richer-looking plant that makes the entire aquascape feel more complete.