Helanthium 'Quadricostatus'

Helanthium bolivianum 'Quadricostatus', formerly known as Echinodorus quadricostatus, is a small sword plant used in the foreground. Its narrow, strap-shaped, glossy light green leaves form small rosettes 5–10 cm tall. It spreads quickly by runners stretching between the rosettes and over time builds a low lawn. It resembles Helanthium tenellum, but its leaves are slightly wider and its color lighter and glossier. It is an easy plant; it spreads even under medium light in an aquarium without CO₂. In weak light the leaves can exceed 15 cm.

• Separate the rosettes one by one, trim the roots slightly and plant them 3–4 cm apart.
• The crown, where the leaves emerge, should stay just above the substrate.

• Light: Medium; strong light is better for a low, dense lawn.
• CO₂: Not required, but speeds up spreading.
• Fertilizer: It feeds through its roots; root tabs noticeably speed up spreading.
• Trimming: Usually not needed; runners heading in unwanted directions are pulled out.