Echinodorus ‘Ozelot’ is a highly popular, decorative hybrid aquarium sword plant crossed between Echinodorus schluteri ‘Leopard’ and Echinodorus ‘Barthii’. It is famous for its distinctive elliptical dark spots that resemble an ocelot’s coat. It is a hardy, undemanding choice perfect for beginners.

Unlike many other variegated sword plants, the Ozelot sword uniquely retains its dark spots even under low lighting conditions.

Key Varieties:

• Standard / ‘Ozelot Red’: Features striking red-brown to dark red new leaves with dark spots, transitioning to olive green as they mature.
• ‘Ozelot Green’: Showcases a light to middle-green leaf base color, creating an even sharper, high-contrast backdrop for its dark red-brown spots. Follow this link to our Echinodorus “Ozelot Green” (Tropica)

Plant Profile & Requirements:

• Height: 20 – 50cm
• Rosette Width: 20 – 40cm
• Tank Placement: Midground or Background
• Temperature: 22 – 28°C
• Water pH: 6.0 – 7.5
• Light Requirements: Low to High (Moderate-high intensifies colors)
• Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast

Care and Planting Guide:

• Substrate and Nutrition
  • Provide Root Feeders: This plant feeds heavily through its massive root system.
  • Soil and Tabs: Plant directly into a nutrient-rich aquarium soil. Supplement with root tabs right under the root ball to ensure lush leaf production.
• Planting Process
  • Unpack Care: Carefully remove all pots, weights, foam wrappers, or rockwool from the roots.
  • Trim Carefully: Trim the long root strings down to about 5 cm (2 inches) to stimulate new growth. Cut away any dead external leaves.
  • Anchor Safely: Use aquascaping tweezers to slide the root cluster deep into your gravel or soil. Pull up slightly so the crown (where the leaves meet the roots) rests just above the substrate surface to avoid rotting.
• Maintenance and Propagation
  • Expect Leaf Melt: Do not panic if the plant drops its original leaves during the first couple of weeks. Nurseries often grow these emersed (above water). The plant will drop its old foliage as it transitions to its true, vibrant submersed form.
  • Easy Propagation: When happy, the plant shoots out long horizontal runner stems. Submersed runners will produce baby plantlets along the stem. Once these plantlets grow to about 5–8 cm and grow small roots, pinch or snip them off to replant elsewhere.