Radican Sword – Echinodorus cordifolius
The Radican Sword (Echinodorus cordifolius) is a large, hardy freshwater aquarium plant known for its broad bright-green leaves and impressive rosette growth.
This sword plant is an excellent choice for medium to large aquariums and can be used as a dramatic background plant or centerpiece. It is adaptable, beginner-friendly, and grows best when given a nutrient-rich substrate and regular root fertilization.
Key Features
- Large bright-green leaves
- Broad, spoon-shaped foliage
- Strong rosette growth habit
- Excellent background or centerpiece plant
- Beginner-friendly and adaptable
- Low to moderate light requirements
- CO2 is optional
- Heavy root feeder
- Can grow partially emersed above the water surface
Plant Information
- Common Name: Radican Sword
- Scientific Name: Echinodorus cordifolius
- Family: Alismataceae
- Native Range: The Americas
- Plant Type: Rosette / Sword Plant
- Placement: Background or centerpiece
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Care Level: Easy
- CO2: Optional
Size and Growth
Radican Sword is a relatively large sword plant and should be given plenty of room to develop.
Healthy plants may reach approximately 18–24 inches or more, depending on lighting, nutrients, aquarium depth, and whether the plant begins producing emersed leaves.
Because of its potential size, this plant is best suited to medium and large freshwater aquariums rather than nano tanks.
Lighting
Radican Sword is adaptable and can grow under low to moderate lighting.
Moderate lighting generally produces stronger, fuller growth, while very low light may result in slower development.
CO2 Requirements
Injected CO2 is not required for Radican Sword.
Supplemental CO2 may improve:
- Growth rate
- Leaf size
- Overall plant vigor
- Leaf density
This plant is still well suited to low-tech planted aquariums when nutrients are available.
Recommended Water Parameters
- Temperature: Approximately 72–82°F
- pH: Approximately 6.0–7.8
- Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
- Lighting: Low to Moderate
- CO2: Optional
Stable water conditions are more important than maintaining one exact pH value.
How to Plant Radican Sword
- Remove the plant from its pot or growing material if applicable.
- Carefully rinse away excess rock wool or substrate from the roots.
- Trim only damaged or excessively long roots if needed.
- Plant the roots firmly into the substrate.
- Keep the crown where the leaves emerge above the substrate.
- Do not bury the crown deeply.
Burying the crown can lead to poor growth or rot.
Substrate and Fertilization
Radican Sword is a strong root feeder and benefits significantly from nutrients around the root system.
For best growth, use:
- Nutrient-rich planted substrate
- Root tabs
- Complete aquarium fertilizer as needed
Root tabs are especially useful when the plant is grown in inert sand or gravel.
Maintenance
Radican Sword is relatively easy to maintain once established.
- Remove old or yellowing leaves at the base.
- Trim damaged leaves rather than cutting healthy leaves in half.
- Add root fertilizer as nutrients become depleted.
- Perform regular partial water changes.
- Give the plant adequate space so it does not shade smaller plants.
Emersed Growth
Radican Sword is an amphibious plant and may eventually produce leaves that reach or grow above the aquarium water surface.
This is normal behavior for the species.
If fully submerged growth is preferred, taller or floating leaves can be removed near the base to encourage new submerged foliage.
Propagation
Radican Sword can reproduce by producing adventitious plantlets along flower stalks.
Once a young plant develops several leaves and a healthy root system, it can be carefully separated from the parent plant and replanted into the substrate.
Compatible Aquarium Inhabitants
Radican Sword is suitable for many freshwater aquariums and works well with:
- Tetras
- Rasboras
- Gouramis
- Angelfish
- Rainbowfish
- Corydoras
- Peaceful community fish
- Shrimp
- Snails
Large digging fish may disturb the root system, so the plant may need to be protected or firmly established in aquariums containing large cichlids or other active substrate diggers.
Aquascaping Uses
Radican Sword is ideal for adding height and broad-leaf texture to freshwater aquariums.
It works especially well:
- In the background of larger aquariums
- As a centerpiece specimen
- Behind driftwood or rockwork
- In community aquariums
- In low-tech planted tanks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Radican Sword easy to grow?
Yes. It is considered a hardy and adaptable sword plant and is a good choice for beginner planted aquariums.
How large does Radican Sword get?
Healthy plants can reach approximately 18–24 inches or more, depending on aquarium conditions.
Does Radican Sword need CO2?
No. CO2 is optional, although supplemental CO2 can improve growth and overall vigor.
Does it need root tabs?
Root tabs are highly recommended, especially when the plant is grown in inert sand or gravel.
Can Radican Sword grow out of the water?
Yes. It is amphibious and may produce leaves that extend above the water surface.
Should the crown be buried?
No. Plant the roots in the substrate while keeping the crown above the substrate surface.
Is it good for large aquariums?
Yes. Its broad leaves and eventual size make it especially useful as a background or centerpiece plant in medium and large tanks.
Available at Tropical Treasures Wyo
Radican Sword plants are available at Tropical Treasures Wyo in Cheyenne, Wyoming, when in stock.
Live aquatic plants may be available for shipping when eligible.
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