Echinodorus 'Red Phoenix' is a hybrid sword cultivar prized for the deep red-burgundy tone of its new leaves, mellowing toward green as they mature — a striking centerpiece or background accent. Skill Level Easy CO2 Optional (recommended for best color) Requires Aqua Soil Not required, but recommended — heavy root feeder Type Rooted Max Height 8-16" Placement Midground to background Light Level Medium to High (approx. 50-100 PAR) Origin Hybrid cultivar Other Note: this listing arrived with no prior content — description written from general knowledge of this cultivar. Care & Planting: Remove from the pot and root wool before planting into a nutrient-rich substrate; heavy root feeder, supplement with root tabs if using an inert substrate. A note on "melting": Like most Amazon Swords and Cryptocoryne species, this plant is farm-grown emersed (above water). When you first submerge it, don't be alarmed if the original leaves die back over the first few weeks — this is called melting, and it's a normal part of the transition, not a sign the plant is failing. Emersed leaves are built for air and only have stomata on their underside; once submerged, the plant sheds them in favor of new underwater leaves with stomata on both sides, better suited to absorbing CO2 from the water. New submersed growth typically appears within a few weeks.
