Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Plant profile

Placement

Background

It must strictly be placed in the background of only the largest aquariums or indoor ponds. Its massive leaves will easily reach the surface and aggressively shade anything beneath it. It is also an outstanding candidate for open-top paludarium setups.

Botanical form

Rosette

It features towering, incredibly thick stems supporting enormous, stiff, heart-shaped leaves. It grows as a massive central rosette that can easily breach the water's surface. Its root system is astonishingly thick, deep, and highly invasive.

Growth

VERY_FAST

Its growth rate is explosive and incredibly fast when provided with optimal conditions. Under high light and CO2, it produces massive new leaves on a weekly basis. It requires constant monitoring to ensure it does not overwhelm the entire system.

Substrate

High

As a large aquatic species, Aquarius grandiflorus (formerly Echinodorus grandiflorus) requires a thick and heavily fertilized substrate to sustain its substantial size. Its thick, wandering roots demand a depth of at least 3 inches (7.5 cm) to anchor properly in the aquarium base. A nutrient-dense aqua soil is ideal, though an inert substrate can also be used if it is generously packed with laterite or root fertilizer capsules.

Column fertilization

Recommended

Due to its immense biomass, column fertilization is highly necessary to support the older leaves. Dosing large amounts of potassium and trace elements prevents the massive leaves from decaying prematurely. This must be done in tandem with heavy root feeding.

Root fertilization

Required

It is arguably one of the heaviest root feeders available in the aquarium hobby. A deep, highly nutritious soil bed combined with frequent root tab additions is essential. Neglecting root fertilization will result in rapid deterioration and yellowing of the entire plant.

Trimming

Regular

Severe and regular pruning is absolutely required to keep this giant in check. Completely remove the largest outer leaves by cutting them as close to the base as possible. If left untrimmed, it will quickly block all light from reaching the lower levels of the tank.

Propagation

Rhizome division, Seeds

It propagates easily by sending out massive, thick floral stalks adorned with numerous plantlets. These plantlets become extremely robust and can be detached once root growth is visible. The mother plant will continue to produce runners indefinitely if well-fed.

Sensitivity

Moderate

It is practically indestructible under normal conditions but highly sensitive to nutrient starvation. It requires a very deep substrate to accommodate its massive root system properly. It thrives in a wide range of temperatures but prefers highly stable parameters.

Layout role

Background

This plant is the ultimate background behemoth, providing unparalleled volume and scale. It creates an incredibly wild, overgrown jungle aesthetic suitable for large biotope setups. It is perfect for visually hiding aquarium equipment in very large display tanks.