Helanthium bolivianum spreads the way a lawn does. Narrow, grass-like leaves rise from a small rosette, and the plant sends runners outward that root and form new rosettes — a chain of them, which is where the name comes from. No CO₂, no strong light, no fuss.
What You'll Receive
- Sold as loose bare-root plants, bunched plants or potted plants
Plant Profile
- Common name — Chain Sword
- Scientific name — Helanthium bolivianum
- Also known as — Echinodorus bolivianus, Bolivian Chain Sword
- Origin — South America
- Placement — Midground
- Mature height — 6-12 inches
- Growth rate — Medium
Care
- Difficulty — Beginner
- Light — Medium
- CO₂ — Not required
- Water — 68-82°F, pH 6.5-7.5
- Substrate — Nutrient-rich soil or root tabs; this is a root feeder
- Growth habit — Amphibious rosette
- Propagation — Runners
Grower's Notes
- Leave the runners attached until the daughter roots. Each runner produces a new rosette a few inches from the parent. Cutting it free early stalls both plants; once the daughter has its own root mass it can be lifted and moved anywhere.
- Height depends on light. Under medium light this stays around six inches and works as a midground band. Under weak light it stretches taller and thinner reaching for the surface — the plant is fine, it is just growing to a different shape.
- Feed the roots, not the water. Chain sword pulls most of its nutrition from the substrate. Root tabs under the planting area matter far more than liquid dosing.
- It is the low-tech alternative to a hairgrass carpet. Slower to fill in, but it does not need CO₂ or high light to spread, and it will not brown out when a tank's parameters drift.
- Thin it once a year. Left alone the rosettes crowd each other and the center of the patch goes bare. Pulling every second plant and replanting it elsewhere keeps the stand even.
Want to go deeper? Read our complete Helanthium Chain Sword Care Guide.
Notes
- Pictures are not the actual plants you will receive, but a sample representation. Unless specific, we don't guarantee aquatic plants will be free of pests, and pesticides, grow emerged, or submerge.
- Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.
At a glance
- Free shipping on orders of $150 or more (after discounts) within the contiguous United States, by USPS.
- Free thermal protection is included with every shipment, all year round.
- Processing: most orders leave us within 1 to 2 business days. Tracking is emailed when your order ships.
- USPS (2 to 5 business days) ships Monday through Saturday.
- UPS 2nd Day Air® ships Monday through Wednesday. Order by Tuesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
- UPS Next Day Air® ships Monday through Thursday. Order by Wednesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
- Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and military addresses ship by USPS at a flat rate shown at checkout.
- Weather holds: during extreme heat or cold we may hold live orders until it's safe to ship.
- We ship within the United States only.
Please bring live plants indoors and unpack them the day they arrive. Every live order is covered by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee.
The complete rules, including lost packages and address issues, are in our Shipping Policy. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.
Every live order is backed by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee. If a plant arrives dead, we'll make it right.
How it works
- Tell us within 24 hours of the delivery time on your tracking.
- Send photos of the affected items in their original, unopened packaging, plus a photo of the shipping label, to hello@aquariumplantsfactory.com with your order number.
- We'll make it right with a replacement, store credit or refund for the affected item.
Good to know
- Some melting or yellowing as plants adjust from greenhouse to aquarium life is normal. They regrow from healthy roots and rhizomes.
- Please bring your package indoors and unpack it the day it arrives.
- Free promotional items and shipping charges are not covered.
The complete rules, including what's covered and what voids the guarantee, are in our Returns, Refunds & Live Arrival Guarantee. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.
Please review your state's regulations on restricted plants, as we are committed to not shipping plants that are restricted in your area. Do not release any plants into the wild or waterways, as this can harm local ecosystems by introducing invasive species.
Your cooperation in protecting the environment is appreciated. For continuously updated information, refer to the USDA State Noxious Weed list here.
Thank you for your responsible commitment to environmental preservation.
Customers praised these aquatic plants for arriving healthy with "strong well defined root systems" and fast shipping. Shoppers noted the plants are "durable" and began "growing while still in quarantine." Many appreciated competitive pricing and generous extras like runners. Some plants arrived without roots but survived with care.
- All my plants arrived very quick and in great shape, they make a beautiful addition to my tanks
- Had strong well defined root system. Started growing while still in quarantine. Great.
- These plants are all surviving. I have many new leaves popping up too.
R
These plants are all surviving. When I received them, some did not have roots, so I wrapped the thinnest little lead around them. So far, so good. I have many new leaves popping up too.
What I really liked was that APF sent me all the little runners attached to the number of plants ordered. Now, I don't expect this every time, but it was generous, and I'd like to think that they considered the approximately $500 I just spent in the last few weeks lol...and my obvious addiction to having plants sent directly to my home. No gas money. No traffic. No fighting for parking at my local pet store. A huge selection of plants at my fingertips. Of course, there is no such thing as free shipping to Hawaii, so I pay for all of these conveniences as well as pay for the plants. But hey, everything costs something; pay in dollars or pay in time and stress.
D
This little plant arrived very healthy and exactly as advertised! It almost looks identical to the stock photo! I thought I got a pic of it individually but looks like this is what I saved. It’s at the bottom left, under the pink swords.
K
All my plants arrived very quick and in great shape, they make a beautiful addition to my tanks
R
Five days in shipping box. Had strong well defined root system. Started growing while still in quarantine. Great.
L
I will be ordering again. Plants were wrapped perfectly. The live plants were: alive and healthy
The bulbs are full and not dried out. I expect great things. The price is a nice relief compared to other dealers. Thank you
H
Helanthium Bolivianum (Chain Sword)
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