{"product_id":"red-flame-sword-potted","title":"Red Flame Sword Potted","description":"\u003cp\u003eRed Flame Sword \u003cem\u003e(Echinodorus 'Red Flame')\u003c\/em\u003e – Potted\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance \u0026amp; Growth\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBring warm color and broad-leaved texture to your freshwater aquarium with Red Flame Sword. New leaves often emerge reddish brown with darker mottling, creating a striking contrast against surrounding green plants. Older foliage may develop greener tones as it matures. Its leaves grow from a central rosette, forming a natural focal point where small fish can explore and shrimp can browse for biofilm. Color and growth vary with lighting, nutrition, and growing conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSize \u0026amp; Placement\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse Red Flame Sword as a midground accent in a larger aquarium or a background centerpiece in a smaller layout with adequate space. Leave room for its spreading leaves and substantial root system. Position it where light can reach the rosette, and avoid crowding delicate foreground plants that could become shaded as the sword fills out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatible Tankmates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeaceful community fish that appreciate leafy cover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDwarf shrimp, which graze biofilm from the foliage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlant-safe snails such as nerites\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUse caution with:\u003c\/strong\u003e vigorous diggers and large plant-eating fish that may uproot the plant or damage its leaves\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanted-Tank Role\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRed Flame Sword adds a warm-toned focal point among green stem plants, driftwood, and rockwork. Its broad leaves provide shelter and grazing surfaces while creating depth in the aquascape. Healthy growth contributes to nutrient uptake but does not replace filtration or regular water changes. Allow space around the plant so neighboring growth and open swimming areas remain accessible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLighting \u0026amp; Nutrition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e moderate aquarium lighting is a practical starting point. Lower light may produce slower growth and less pronounced coloration; stronger lighting should be balanced with adequate nutrients.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePhotoperiod:\u003c\/strong\u003e start with 6–8 hours daily and adjust to plant response and algae growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoot nutrition:\u003c\/strong\u003e provide nutrient-rich substrate or aquarium root tabs used according to their label in plain sand or gravel. Swords benefit from a consistent nutrient supply around their roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFertilizer:\u003c\/strong\u003e a complete aquarium plant fertilizer can supplement nutrients in the water. Avoid adding extra iron solely to force red coloration.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCO2:\u003c\/strong\u003e injection is not essential in many setups, though balanced supplementation can support growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid abrupt lighting increases or excessive fertilizer intended to intensify color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWater Conditions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaintain stable tropical freshwater conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid abrupt changes in temperature, water chemistry, lighting, or CO2 supply.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide gentle circulation around the foliage and base.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRemove accumulated debris without disturbing the established roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting Guidance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarefully remove the nursery pot and gently tease away the packing wool from the roots. Rinse away remaining loose fibers before planting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePreserve healthy roots and remove damaged or decaying material as needed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMake enough room in the substrate to spread the roots without tightly folding or crushing them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBury the roots while keeping the crown, where leaves meet the roots, at or just above the substrate surface.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeave space around the rosette for new foliage and root development.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChoose its position thoughtfully; repeatedly uprooting an established sword can disturb the plant and surrounding substrate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTrimming \u0026amp; Propagation\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRemove damaged or overly large outer leaves near their base with clean scissors, taking care not to injure the crown.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRemove selected whole leaves rather than cutting across healthy leaf tips.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEstablished plants may produce daughter plantlets along a flower stalk.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAllow plantlets to develop several leaves and healthy roots before separating and planting them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA detached leaf alone will not grow into a new sword plant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDispose of unwanted plants and trimmings in household waste, never in outdoor waterways.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAdjustment After Planting\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants grown above water may shed some older leaves while developing submerged foliage. New underwater leaves can differ in shape and color from the original growth. Remove soft, decaying leaves while preserving healthy roots and the crown. Keep conditions stable, maintain root nutrition, and watch for fresh leaves emerging from the center. Allow time for establishment rather than repeatedly moving the plant.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"RAI","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52113861804278,"sku":"PREFL","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0092\/5161\/8878\/files\/10434_a98eda8c0ffc136347ea8ac6c47e9ab8.jpg?v=1793692272","url":"https:\/\/www.reeflifeaquariums.com\/products\/red-flame-sword-potted","provider":"Reeflifeaquariums.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}