Echinodorus "Ozelot Red"

Echinodorus 'Ozelot Red' is a selected variant of the classic Ozelot hybrid in which the base leaf colour has been shifted toward red-bronze rather than olive-green, and the spots deepen to dark maroon under good lighting. It shares the Ozelot's easy-going nature and readiness to produce daughter plants, but adds the visual drama of a red Echinodorus. Under high light it develops some of the richest colouring of any mid-sized sword plant. It suits aquariums from 60 litres upward as a centrepiece midground plant.

Light: Medium to high (40–70 PAR); red tones deepen significantly under stronger light. CO2: Beneficial; injection noticeably improves leaf colour and overall vigour. Fertiliser: Root tabs every 3 months; weekly liquid fertiliser with elevated iron. Planting: Midground centrepiece; expose crown fully; plant singly or in groups of 2 spaced 15 cm apart. Growth: Reaches 25–40 cm; remove old leaves at the base; propagates via runners bearing daughter plantlets.