Helanthium Quadricostatus (Broad Leaf Chain Sword)

Helanthium quadricostatus is the broad-leaved chain sword. Wider blades than the Tenellum forms, arranged in a low rosette that throws runners sideways until it forms a continuous green band across the front of a tank — without CO₂ and without strong light.

What You'll Receive

• Sold as loose bare-root plants, bunched plants or potted plants

Plant Profile

• Common name — Broad Leaf Chain Sword
• Scientific name — Helanthium quadricostatus
• Also known as — Helanthium bolivianum 'Quadricostatus', Echinodorus quadricostatus, Bolivian Sword Plant
• Origin — South America; the Amazon and Paraguay basins
• Placement — Foreground to midground
• Mature height — 4-8 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 sets a new rosette a few inches from the parent. Separating it early stalls both plants; once rooted it can be lifted and replanted anywhere.
• It is the low-tech alternative to a hairgrass carpet. Slower to fill in, but it needs no CO₂ and no high light, and it will not brown out when a tank's parameters drift.
• Feed the roots. Chain swords take most of their nutrition from the substrate. Root tabs under the planting area do far more than liquid fertilizer.
• Height depends on light. Under medium light it stays low and runs sideways. In weak light it stretches taller and thinner reaching for the surface.
• Thin it once a year. Crowded rosettes shade each other and the center of the patch goes bare. Pulling every second plant keeps the stand even and gives you free stock.

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.