Echinodorus red rubin 'Narrow leaf'

Echinodorus ‘Red Rubin’ Narrow Leaf is a compact and visually striking sword plant cultivar, also known as E. ‘Rubin var. lancifolius’. Unlike the larger, broad-leaved Echinodorus ‘Rubin’, this variety features slender, lance-shaped leaves that display vibrant ruby-red tones on younger leaves, gradually shifting to brown-olive hues as they mature. Underwater, it forms a rosette of curved, elongated leaves, typically 2–2.5 cm wide, reaching a height of 20–35 cm.

This narrow-leaved cultivar is low-maintenance and adaptable, thriving in a wide range of water conditions (soft to hard) with pH between 6–9. While CO₂ supplementation is optional, it encourages faster growth and more intense colouration. Bright, unshaded placement brings out its most vivid red tones, making it an ideal midground accent that contrasts beautifully against green plants in medium-sized aquariums.

How to Use in the Aquarium

Ideal for midground to background placement, this cultivar stands out when paired with green carpeting plants, mosses, or other stem plants. Planting a small grouping creates a bold visual contrast, making it perfect for nature-style aquascapes. Its slender leaves add vertical texture and depth to the layout.

Maintenance

Moderately easy to care for, E. ‘Red Rubin’ Narrow Leaf thrives under medium to high lighting and benefits from CO₂ supplementation to enhance its red tones but it can grow without, 

Emersed Growth

This cultivar can also grow emersed in paludariums or humid setups. The leaves maintain their reddish coloration, and the plant may produce small white flowers. Emersed growth is robust, allowing it to adapt to both submerged and semi-aquatic conditions.

Echinodorus red rubin 'Narrow leaf' Growth Informatioln