Rose Sword (Echinodorus sp. Rose)

Rose Sword (Echinodorus sp. Rose) 

Rose Sword is a beautiful Echinodorus variety known for broad, elegant leaves that can resemble rose petals—softly rounded, slightly pointed, and layered in a way that gives the plant a refined, centerpiece look. In many setups it stays green to warm green, but with brighter light and steady nutrition it can develop richer rosy tones and subtle reddish new growth that makes it feel more “special” than a standard Amazon Sword.

Rose Sword Overview

This is the kind of plant that instantly adds structure to a tank. As it matures, Rose Sword forms a full rosette with large leaves that create a lush backdrop, making it perfect for building depth and hiding equipment without looking like you’re “hiding” anything at all. Place it along the back wall or in a back corner and it will naturally mask heaters, filter intakes, and lines while still looking like an intentional part of the aquascape.

Aquarists appreciate Rose Sword for:

• Focal-point presence: a big-leaf rosette that anchors the background
• Potential rosy coloration: stronger light + good nutrition can bring warmer tones
• Fish-friendly cover: broad leaves create shelter and calm zones for tank inhabitants
• Great for hiding equipment: a natural way to conceal hardware behind healthy plant growth

For aquascaping, Rose Sword is at its best when it’s used as the lush “backbone” behind smaller textures and brighter accents. Plant it in the background as your big-leaf anchor, then build forward in layers: a dense red patch of Ludwigia Super Red Mini nearby adds contrast and a focal “hot spot,” while a midground clump of Staurogyne repens helps transition from large sword leaves to the foreground without feeling abrupt.

To finish the front edge, a true carpet like Dwarf Hairgrass on Coco Fiber Mat (or a tighter carpet like Glosso in higher light) creates that clean, finished foreground that makes the sword look even more dramatic. If you want to add extra texture on hardscape pieces, tuck Anubias coffeefolia into a rock/wood crevice so the rippled leaves break up the softer sword shapes.

The result is a scape that looks intentionally planted and “grown-in”—big structure in the back, rich texture in the middle, and a clean carpet up front—without needing constant rework.

Caring for Rose Sword

Rose Sword is not demanding, but it is a classic root feeder, so it rewards a well-fed substrate. It can absolutely grow in gravel, but it will look fuller, larger, and more colorful when the root zone is supported with a nutrient-rich planted substrate or routine root tabs placed near (not directly on top of) the crown. Consistent fertilization helps maintain stronger leaves, and additional iron/micronutrients can support deeper coloration—especially in brighter setups.

Planting tip: keep the crown just above the substrate line (don’t bury it deeply). Once established, it will send roots down and push new leaves from the center. If older outer leaves get shaded or worn, remove them cleanly at the base to keep the plant looking fresh. In good conditions, swords often produce runners that form baby plants you can separate and replant.

• Light: Moderate (brighter light supports richer color and tighter growth)
• Temperature Range: 68–82°F
• Placement: Background
• CO₂: Not required
• Difficulty: Easy
• Growth Rate: Moderate

Once it settles in, Rose Sword is a steady, reliable “backbone” plant. Give it space, feed the roots consistently with root tabs, and it will gradually build a dense rosette that adds depth, cover, and a polished, planted look—especially in community tanks where you want a lush background without constant trimming.

We offer many other variety of Sword plants, and they can be found here.

Shop with Confidence for Sword Aquarium Plants 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 reviewed by thousands of customers on Google.
• 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: Reach us via site chat or phone for practical help with planting depth, root-feeding routines, and choosing compatible plants.

Rose Sword is an easy, high-impact background plant that brings elegant leaf shape, optional rosy coloration, and practical “equipment hiding” power to a planted aquarium. Feed the roots, give it a little room, and you’ll get a lush, mature-looking centerpiece that makes the entire tank feel more complete and intentionally designed.