Echinodorus 'Kleiner Bär'

Echinodorus 'Kleiner Bär' — German for 'Little Bear' — is a compact European cultivar bearing oval leaves in olive-brown tones with reddish-brown mottling and spotting that gives the plant a warm, earthy appearance. It typically reaches only 15–30 cm, making it one of the smaller and more manageable ornamental Echinodorus cultivars, well suited to midground placement in tanks from 50 litres upward.

The mottled pattern of 'Kleiner Bär' is most vivid under medium-to-bright lighting; in low light the leaves tend to a more uniform olive-green. Iron availability influences the intensity of the reddish-brown tones. The plant is easy to grow and tolerant of a wide range of water parameters, requiring no CO2 injection and only modest fertilisation to maintain healthy growth.

Its small stature and attractive patterning make 'Kleiner Bär' an excellent choice for medium-sized community tanks where larger sword cultivars would dominate. It serves as a compact focal point that adds texture and colour interest without overwhelming the layout.

Light: Medium (35–60 PAR); mottled colouration is most vivid under brighter light. CO2: Not required; optional supplementation improves leaf size. Fertilisation: Root tabs every 3 months; liquid iron weekly to enhance reddish tones. Placement: Midground; plant singly or in pairs; keep crown exposed above substrate. Propagation: Daughter plants on flower stalks — sever once rooted.