Amazon sword plants root in substrate and grow upward, so planting them correctly from the start prevents them from floating loose or rotting at the base

Amazon sword is one of the easiest aquatic plants to establish because it grows from roots rather than floating, and it tolerates a wide range of water conditions. The plant needs to be buried in substrate—the material on your tank floor—with the crown (the point where leaves meet roots) sitting just above the surface. If you bury the crown too deep, it will rot; if you leave too much of the root exposed, the plant will uproot itself as it grows.

The process takes about five minutes per plant and requires only a substrate, the plant itself, and your hands or a planting tool. Most people see new growth within two to three weeks if lighting and nutrients are adequate.

Key Takeaways

  • Bury the roots fully in substrate but leave the crown (where leaves begin) just above the surface to prevent rot and allow the plant to anchor.
  • Amazon sword grows best in substrate at least 2 to 3 inches deep, which gives roots room to spread and stabilize the plant.
  • Plant the sword away from the tank edges and other plants so its large leaves have space to spread without shading smaller plants.
  • The plant will root itself within one to two weeks and does not need fertilizer when ready, though liquid fertilizer or root tabs speed growth.

Preparing your substrate and choosing a planting location

Amazon sword needs substrate at least 2 to 3 inches deep to root properly. If your tank floor has less than that, add more before planting. Gravel, sand, or aquarium soil all work; the plant is not fussy about substrate type, though nutrient-rich soils like Flourite or Aquasoil speed growth slightly.

Choose a location toward the back or sides of the tank rather than the center. Amazon sword leaves grow large and wide—often 4 to 6 inches across—and will shade smaller plants in front of it. Placing it at the edge also makes it easier to trim without disturbing the rest of your layout. Leave at least 6 inches of space between the sword and neighboring plants so leaves have room to spread.

Removing the plant from its pot and preparing the roots

Amazon sword usually arrives in a small plastic pot filled with rockwool or soil. Remove the entire plant from the pot and gently rinse away the growing medium under running water. Use your fingers to separate the roots; they are delicate but tough enough to handle. If roots are tightly wound, gently pull them apart so they point downward and outward rather than staying in a ball.

Trim any dead or mushy roots with clean scissors—healthy roots are white or light tan and firm to the touch. Dead roots are dark, soft, and may smell foul. Removing them prevents rot from spreading to healthy tissue. You do not need to trim healthy roots; the plant will adjust to the aquarium environment on its own.

Planting the sword in the substrate

Dig a hole in the substrate deep enough to bury all the roots. Push your finger or a planting tool (a thin stick or aquarium plant tweezers work well) into the substrate to create the hole, then place the plant inside so the roots point downward and spread naturally. The crown—the thick point where the roots meet the leaves—should sit just at or slightly above the substrate surface.

Gently push substrate around the roots to hold the plant in place. Do not pack it tightly; loose substrate allows roots to spread and water to flow. If the plant feels loose after planting, add a bit more substrate around the base, but do not bury the crown itself. The plant will root itself more firmly within one to two weeks as new root growth anchors it.

Anchoring the plant if it keeps floating up

If your Amazon sword floats up after planting, the substrate is too loose or the roots are not deep enough. Remove the plant, dig a deeper hole, and replant it with more substrate packed gently around the roots. Some people use plant weights—small lead or plastic anchors that clip around the stem—but these are usually unnecessary if the plant is buried correctly.

If the plant continues to float after two replanting attempts, check that the crown is not rotting. A rotting crown will be soft and dark, and the plant will not anchor because the roots are dying. If rot is present, trim away the damaged tissue and replant in a different spot with fresh substrate.

Light and nutrient needs after planting

Amazon sword grows in low to moderate light, so it does not require special lighting to survive. However, it grows faster and fuller under moderate light—around 8 to 10 hours per day. If your tank has only dim lighting, the plant will still live but may grow slowly or develop pale leaves.

The plant draws some nutrients from fish waste in the water, so it does not need fertilizer when ready. If growth is slow after four weeks, add a liquid all-in-one fertilizer like Thrive or Flourish once or twice weekly, following the bottle instructions. Root tabs—fertilizer pellets pushed into the substrate—also help, especially if you have no fish or a lightly stocked tank. Start with liquid fertilizer; root tabs are optional.

Troubleshooting common planting problems

If leaves turn yellow or brown within days of planting, the plant is usually adjusting to the aquarium environment and not rotting. This is normal. Continue normal care and new growth should be green. If the crown itself is soft and dark, the plant is rotting and needs to be removed and replanted in a different location.

If the plant grows but leaves remain small or pale, increase lighting or add fertilizer. If the plant floats up repeatedly, the roots are not anchoring—dig deeper and replant with more substrate. If algae grows on the leaves, reduce lighting slightly or increase water changes; algae on new plants is common and not harmful to the plant itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I plant Amazon sword in sand instead of gravel?

Yes. Sand works well and actually holds the plant more firmly than gravel because it packs tighter. Use play sand or aquarium sand, not construction sand, which can cloud the water. Plant the sword the same way—roots buried, crown above the surface.

How long does it take for Amazon sword to root?

The plant usually anchors itself within one to two weeks. You will see new root growth and new leaves within three weeks if lighting is adequate. Do not move the plant during this time; let it settle in one location.

What if I plant the crown too deep?

The crown will rot within a few days to a week. Remove the plant, trim away the rotted tissue if possible, and replant with the crown above the substrate. If the entire crown is soft, the plant cannot be saved.

Do I need to use fertilizer when I first plant Amazon sword?

No. The plant will grow without fertilizer, especially if you have fish in the tank. Add fertilizer only if growth slows after four weeks. Liquid fertilizer is easier to start with than root tabs.

Can I plant multiple Amazon swords close together?

You can, but they will shade each other and compete for nutrients. Space them at least 6 inches apart so each plant has room to spread its leaves. If you want a dense background, plant them closer and trim regularly to keep them from blocking light to the rest of the tank.