Radican Sword
Radican Sword
Radican Sword, botanically Echinodorus cordifolius radicans, is a broad-leaved North American sword that is particularly notable for producing long, sweeping emersed stems above the waterline in open-top setups — one of the most enthusiastically surface-reaching aquarium plants available. In open-top aquariums the stems arch gracefully above the water, potentially flowering and producing adventitious plantlets. Submerged, it creates bold, broad background coverage of impressive visual presence.
Care tip: Radican Sword is a root feeder that benefits greatly from a nutrient-rich substrate or regular root tabs. Maintain temperatures of 72–82°F and pH 6.5–7.5. CO₂ is optional for this variety.
Growing to 12 to 20 inches submerged, Radican Sword develops its most characteristic form in open-top setups where both the submerged and emersed growth can develop simultaneously. Even fully submerged it is a substantial, vigorous background plant whose broad leaves create natural shelter and strong visual mass. Root tabs or enriched substrate support the vigorous growth habit.
This easy to moderate plant grows in moderate lighting with CO₂ optional. Temperatures between 72 and 82°F and a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 provide comfortable conditions. Regular root feeding supports both the submerged leaf production and the emersed stem growth in open-top setups. It is a vigorous, fast-growing plant whose energy is most visibly expressed in the emersed stem production when given the opportunity.
In the aquascape, Radican Sword creates bold, broad submerged background coverage in fully enclosed aquariums, and a dramatically sweeping combination of submerged and emersed structure in open-top setups. In open-top paludarium and aquarium setups the arching emersed stems create one of the most naturally impressive aquatic plant displays available. It suits biotope setups representing North American wetlands and stream habitats.
Radican Sword is a vigorous, versatile, and naturally impressive sword for aquarists who want bold background structure with the option for dramatic emersed growth in open-top setups. Its North American origin and vigorous growth habit make it a practical and botanically authentic background plant.
Care & Specifications
| Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
| Placement | Background |
| Max Height | 12–20 inches |
| Light Level | Moderate |
| Temperature | 72–82°F |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| CO2 Needs | Optional |
| Origin | North America |
| Notes | A broad-leaved North American sword that readily produces long emersed stems reaching above the waterline in open-top setups — one of the most vigorous surface-reaching aquarium plants available. Submerged growth creates bold, broad-leaved background coverage. Root tabs and nutrient-rich substrate support its vigorous growth habit. |
