Helanthium tenellum 'Broad Leaf'

Helanthium tenellum 'Broad Leaf' is a selected form of the Pygmy Chain Sword with slightly wider, more substantial leaves than the typical narrow H. tenellum form. While still a compact foreground plant remaining under 15 cm, the broader leaves give individual rosettes more visual presence and create a denser, fuller carpet appearance when the plant has spread to fill an area. The foliage is a richer, deeper green than the standard form, giving it a particularly lush appearance.

Like all H. tenellum variants, 'Broad Leaf' spreads prolifically via runners and is adaptable to a wide range of water parameters and lighting conditions without CO2 injection. It is highly suitable for nano tanks and small planted aquariums as well as larger setups where foreground carpeting is desired without the use of CO2.

The 'Broad Leaf' selection is particularly valued for its improved aesthetics over the standard form — the wider leaves simply look more refined and polished as a carpet, and the deeper green colour enhances its visual impact under both warm-white and neutral lighting.

Light: Medium (30–60 PAR); compact and dense under higher light. CO2: Not required; substantially accelerates carpet formation if used. Fertilisation: Root tabs every 3 months throughout the foreground; liquid iron weekly. Placement: Foreground; plant 4–6 cm apart; runners knit together to form a continuous carpet. Propagation: Runners continuously produce daughter rosettes — sever and replant to expand carpet.