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Echinodorus 'Aquartica'
Echinodorus 'Aquartica'
Echinodorus 'Aquartica' is a stunning, slow-growing compact cultivar. Showcasing vibrant, round bright green leaves, it naturally forms a low, pristine rosette perfect for midground placement.
Class:Liliopsida
Order:Alismatales
Family:Alismataceae
Genus:Echinodorus
Species:Echinodorus 'Aquartica'
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Water Temperature
15 - 30 °C
pH Value
5 - 7
Water type
Freshwater
Light
Medium to High
CO2
Low - High
Expected height
23 cm
KH
0 - 21 dKH
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: This Echinodorus cultivar, known as 'Aquartica', is a horticultural variety created in cultivation and is not found in the wild. The genus Echinodorus is primarily native to the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, where wild species grow in marshy environments along the margins of rivers, lakes, and temporarily flooded areas. 'Aquartica' was selected for its robustness and compact growth habit, adapting well to both submerged and emersed conditions.
Taxonomy & Genetics: It belongs to the family Alismataceae and is the result of hybrid selection within the genus Echinodorus. Its genetics have been stabilized to maintain wide, rounded leaves and a relatively compact size compared to other giant members of the genus. As a commercial hybrid, its propagation is primarily vegetative to preserve its unique genetic characteristics.
Physical Structure: It features a classic rosette structure with leaves developing from a short, robust central rhizome. The leaves have a distinctly ovoid or almost round shape, with short petioles that help keep the plant compact and upright. Its maximum height rarely exceeds 20-25 cm, making it ideal for medium-sized aquariums.
Color & Texture: The leaves display a bright, uniform green coloration, lacking the red speckles or variegation typical of other hybrids. The leaf texture is thick and leathery, with clearly visible longitudinal veins running from the base to the apex. Under intense lighting, the green can take on golden or slightly lighter reflections on new leaves.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Lighting & CO2: Requires medium to high lighting to maintain its compact shape and prevent the petioles from stretching. Although it can survive without carbon dioxide injection, CO2 supplementation significantly accelerates growth and promotes a healthy root system.
Nutrition & Substrate: Like all Echinodorus, it is a heavy root feeder and requires a nutrient-rich substrate. The use of a fertile soil or the regular insertion of root tabs containing iron and microelements near the roots is highly recommended.
Water Chemistry: Tolerates a wide range of water parameters, making it a very versatile plant. It prefers temperatures between 15°C and 30°C, with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.0 - 7.0) and a carbon hardness (KH) from very low to medium.
Space Management & Placement: Its ideal placement is in the midground of the aquarium, where it can serve as a focal point without blocking the view of the background. Due to its compact rosette shape, it should be positioned with enough surrounding space to prevent it from shading low-growing plants.
Pruning: Pruning consists mainly of removing older, damaged, or yellowing outer leaves by cutting them near the base of the rosette. This operation stimulates the plant to produce new central leaves and prevents the decay of the rosette's appearance.
Risks & Diseases: It is a robust plant but can suffer from iron deficiencies, which manifest as chlorosis (yellowing or transparency of new leaves). In addition, its thick leaves can be prone to colonization by green spot algae if the nutrient or lighting balance is incorrect.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
This Echinodorus cultivar, known as 'Aquartica', is a horticultural variety created in cultivation and is not found in the wild. The genus Echinodorus is primarily native to the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, where wild species grow in marshy environments along the margins of rivers, lakes, and temporarily flooded areas. 'Aquartica' was selected for its robustness and compact growth habit, adapting well to both submerged and emersed conditions.
Origin
Selective breeding and cultivars
Varietà da Selezione / Cultivar
Plant profile
- Placement
- No verified data available
- Botanical form
- No verified data available
- Growth
- No verified data available
- Substrate
- No verified data available
- Column fertilization
- No verified data available
- Root fertilization
- No verified data available
- Trimming
- No verified data available
- Propagation
- No verified data available
- Nutrients
- No verified data available
- Sensitivity
- No verified data available
- Layout role
- No verified data available
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
