- Rosette plant
- Medium
- Light: low to high (sources differ)
- CO₂: Not needed to recommended (sources differ)
Helanthium tenellum
Echinodorus tenellus · Pygmy chain sword
Medium rosette plant for medium and high light. It grows better with added CO₂. It is used in the foreground and midground and can form a carpet. Growth is medium, and it is rated medium to keep.
Sources compared · 3 sources · Reviewed Oct 3, 2026
At a glance
- Plant type
- Rosette plant Foreground, Midground, Carpet
- Light
- Low to high (sources differ)
- CO₂
- Not needed to recommended (sources differ)
- Difficulty
- Medium Growth rate: Medium
- Height
- 2–3 in (5–8 cm)
- Water
- 68–82 °F (20–28 °C) pH 6.5–7.5
- Leaf color
-
- Green
- Propagation
- Runners
- Botanical name
- Helanthium tenellum
In the tank
Our sources don't record anything else about this plant in the tank.
Origin
Native to North America
Sources
Where to buy
Prices rechecked dailyPrices checked Nov 14, 2026.
All photos
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Helanthium tenellum forming a grass-like carpet in an aquarium with a red shrimp -
Helanthium tenellum narrow leaves growing in a clump
Questions
Does Helanthium tenellum need strong light?
Helanthium tenellum grows in medium or high light.
Does Helanthium tenellum need CO₂?
It grows without it, but added CO₂ helps Helanthium tenellum grow faster and denser.
Where does Helanthium tenellum go in the tank?
Helanthium tenellum is used in the foreground, midground, and carpet.
