Chain Sword
Chain Sword
Chain Sword is the classic carpeting sword plant of the freshwater aquarium hobby — a low-growing North and South American Echinodorus that spreads via runners to create a natural grass-like ground cover across the aquarium foreground. One of the easiest true carpeting plants available, Chain Sword is far more forgiving than most carpet species and produces a reliably spreading foreground coverage in mid-tech setups without the extreme demands of Glossostigma or Hemianthus.
Care tip: Chain Sword is a root feeder that benefits greatly from a nutrient-rich substrate or regular root tabs. Maintain temperatures of 68–80°F and pH 6.0–7.5. CO₂ is recommended for this variety.
Growing to just 2 to 4 inches, Chain Sword is proportionately scaled for foreground use in tanks of all sizes. Runner production is vigorous under good conditions, gradually filling the foreground with narrow, grass-like leaves. Regular trimming of the longest runners maintains a tidy, carpet-like presentation and encourages denser spreading. CO₂ supplementation keeps the plant compact and encourages more horizontal spreading.
This easy to moderate plant grows in moderate lighting with CO₂ recommended. The broad temperature range of 68 to 80°F reflects genuine thermal tolerance. A pH of 6.0 to 7.5 provides comfortable conditions. Root feeding through enriched substrate or root tabs supports vigorous runner production. Good light reaching the substrate level is the most important factor in producing a dense, attractive carpet.
In the aquascape, Chain Sword creates a natural, grass-like foreground carpet whose organic, irregular spreading suits nature-style compositions. Unlike grid-planted carpet plants it spreads naturally, filling in gaps over time to create an increasingly complete carpet. In low and mid-tech setups it is one of the most reliably spreading foreground plants available — a natural first carpeting plant for aquarists learning foreground management.
Chain Sword is a classic, practical, and naturally beautiful foreground carpeting plant for aquarists at every experience level. Its easy-to-moderate care, vigorous runner production, and natural grass-like appearance make it the most universally recommended carpeting sword plant in the freshwater aquarium hobby.
Care & Specifications
| Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
| Placement | Foreground |
| Max Height | 2–4 inches |
| Light Level | Moderate |
| Temperature | 68–80°F |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| CO2 Needs | Recommended |
| Origin | North and South America |
| Notes | Classic carpeting sword plant producing narrow, grass-like leaves on low-growing rosettes that spread via runners to form a natural ground cover. One of the easiest true carpeting plants available — more forgiving than most carpet species and well suited to mid-tech setups with moderate light and CO₂. |
