Echinodorus 'Barthii'

Echinodorus 'Barthii' is a widely cultivated European hybrid that serves as the parent of several other well-known cultivars including the Ozelot. It produces glossy, oval leaves that emerge from the centre of the rosette in a rich, deep red-to-brown colour, gradually maturing to olive-green with retained reddish-brown undertones on the petioles and midrib. The result is a rosette with a warm, two-toned colouration that is attractive without being as intensely coloured as dedicated red cultivars like 'Rubin'.

Mature plants reach 20–40 cm, making the Barthii Sword a flexible midground plant for tanks of 60 litres and above. It is undemanding and grows reliably across a wide range of water chemistry and lighting conditions without CO2 injection. Its glossy leaf surface gives the plant a cleaner, more polished appearance than matte-leaved relatives.

As one of the foundational cultivars of the European Echinodorus breeding programme, 'Barthii' has both historical significance and enduring practical value, offering consistent performance and attractive appearance for planted aquarium enthusiasts at all levels.

Light: Medium (35–65 PAR); red in new leaves is most vivid under good illumination. CO2: Not required; CO2 supplementation improves growth and deepens new-leaf colouration. Fertilisation: Root tabs every 3 months; weekly liquid iron to sustain reddish undertones. Placement: Midground; plant singly or in a group of 2–3 spaced 15 cm apart. Propagation: Flower stalks produce daughter plants — sever once established.