Echinodorus Cordifolius "Marble Queen Green"

Overview: Popularly known as the Marble Queen Sword plant, Echinodorus cordifolius is a striking aquatic plant. It is native to South America and can be found growing in the wild in slow-moving rivers, lakes, and wetlands. The large and attractive marbled leaves make this plant unique and extremely attractive. At the same time, it is easy to care for and maintain, making it a perfect addition to beginners' aquariums. Adding the lush and bushy Echinodorus cordifolius Marble Queen Green is going to add both beauty and natural appeal to the freshwater tank.

Appearance: Echinodorus cordifolius Marble Queen Green is an aquatic plant with broad, lance-shaped leaves. The leaves are light to medium green in color with typical marbling patterns like irregular patches of cream, pale yellow, and light green. It gives them the mottled marble-like look, hence the name. The size of the leaves may vary, but they are usually broad in shape. The Echinodorus cordifolius plant can grow up to 30 to 40 cm tall, depending upon the water conditions. The leaves extend outwards, forming a rosette shape. When the water parameters align with this plant’s requirements, the color gets more vibrant, and the plant looks healthier. Also, the marbling becomes more vivid.

Hard/Soft Plant: Echinodorus cordifolius Marble Queen Green is considered a moderately hard plant. While it can grow in a variety of water conditions and is not sensitive to fluctuations, it is not completely maintenance-free. In terms of care, it is an easy-going plant and thrives in a tank where the roots spread naturally.

Ideal water temperature: The ideal water temperature for Echinodorus Cordifolius is between 22 and 278 degrees Celsius. Keeping the water within this temperature range will allow the plant to grow vigorously and retain its striking leaf color and pattern. However, it is still important to maintain relatively stable temperatures to avoid stress, which can cause the plant to mute the colors and patterns.

Lighting Condition: Echinodorus cordifolius prefers moderate to high light conditions. It can survive under lower light conditions but tends to grow more slowly and may not exhibit the same vibrant marbling patterns; therefore, maintaining the optimum range is essential. It will ensure a distinct marble pattern on the leaves.

Ideal pH Level: Echinodorus cordifolius thrives when the water pH is between 6.5 and 7.5. Keeping the pH stable and within the ideal range is crucial for healthy root and leaf development. If the pH fluctuates too much, the plant may become stressed, leading to poor growth or leaf discoloration.

Other Requirements: Echinodorus Cordifolius Marble Queen Green would love to be planted in a tank with nutrient-rich, gravel or sandy substrate. It will help its extensive root system to proliferate. Adding CO2 can be beneficial, especially if you have high light and want to encourage rapid growth. In addition, it will require periodic trimming to keep it looking neat and prevent it from overtaking too much space in the tank.

Propagation: Echinodorus cordifolius propagates through runners. The plant sends out runners that develop small plantlets with roots. Separating them from the mother plant and replating will help propagate them.  

Do You Know: The marbled pattern on the leaves can change based on light intensity, nutrient availability, and water conditions. In tanks with higher light and more nutrients, the plant tends to have more pronounced marbling, with creamy yellow or light green areas contrasting against the dark green leaves. In lower light conditions, the pattern may appear less defined.