Allways a good experience , fast delivery , really well packed .
Echinodorus tenellus
Fine grass-like leaves on a compact foreground Echinodorus tenellus plant
- Regular price
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£7.99 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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£7.99
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Quick Facts
Rating:
Common name: Pygmy Chain Sword
Origin: North America
Position in Aquarium: Foreground
Grows up to (cm): 15 cm
Pot Size: 5 cm
Growth rate: Fast
Description
Echinodorus tenellus is one of the smallest members of the Echinodorus genus, producing a dense mass of fine, grass-like leaves that spread slowly to form a natural-looking low carpet. Unlike the larger sword plants, tenellus stays compact — typically under 10 cm — making it one of the few Echinodorus species suited to foreground planting.
It is an undemanding plant, growing under medium light without CO2 supplementation. Propagation is straightforward: the plant spreads by sending out horizontal runners that develop into new rosettes, gradually filling in the foreground area over time. A nutritious substrate supports this spreading habit and keeps the fine leaves a healthy bright green.
Supplied as an established potted plant, Echinodorus tenellus suits aquariums from 40 litres upward. It works well as a low-growing foreground plant in both smaller set-ups and larger layouts where a delicate, grass-textured foreground is desired without the need for CO2 injection.
Plant Sizes
You’ll receive a healthy, rooted plant in a pot, similar to those shown. Each one is hand-checked before dispatch.
Shipping
Same-day dispatch on orders placed before 4pm, Monday to Friday. Tracked 24 Service from £4.99, DPD Express from £6.99.



Echinodorus tenellus
- Regular price
-
£7.99 - Regular price
-
- Sale price
-
£7.99
Customers praised this aquatic carpeting plant for arriving "healthy" with "strong roots" and "well packaged." Most noted quick growth with runners appearing within days. A few shoppers reported browning leaves or poor establishment, suggesting it may require experience. Overall highly rated for quality and fast delivery.
- Almost doubled in size and are already spreading just one week after planting.
- Big healthy leaves and good roots. Plants have established themselves and started throwing runners.
- Received this plant in very good condition with very strong healthy roots.
- 5 stars: 13 (81%)
- 4 stars: 2 (13%)
- 3 stars: 1 (6%)
- 2 stars: 0 (0%)
- 1 star: 0 (0%)
Healthy plant received 3 weeks ago. The plant was well packaged and is doing great in my tank
I received this plant in very good condition with very strong healthy roots
Lovely healthy plant that is doing really well in my aquarium.
Big heathy leaves and good roots. Despite warnings about possible leaf loss the plants have soon established themselves and started throwing out runners.
Ordered a few plants from *Aqua-essentials* the plants were not the usual plants around in my local aquarium shops
So it was easy to pick this Echinodorus Tennellus as one to buy.The whole experience from ordering to receiving the well packed plants was 100%
fast posting of lovely grown plants-thank you so much
All seemed well when first planted but not thriving. A few brown leaves appearing
Very healthy plant. Sadly it didn't do well in my aquarium, so perhaps not ideal for novices.
They are clearly experts all the plants I bought are top quality and thriving in my aquariums
Using this in the foreground of my aquarium as a carpeting plant. It’s been in about a week and is starting to produce runners already.
Healthy plant
good plant growing in one week quick post
Received these plants the day after dispatch. They were well packed and very healthy. They have almost doubled in size and are already spreading just one week after planting.
I bought 8 of these and all had a lot less leaves than in the picture but most were still ok. Two however were quite poor with very little root growth and after a week are just about hanging on! Will have to wait and see if the co2 and ferts make them pick up. Packaging was excellent and service second to none. Perhaps just a bit more attention should be paid to the packing people to the health of the individual plants before despatch but allround pretty good.
Good, healthy plants and look great in my tank. Planted the same day they arrived and I took care to get as many little plants as possible out of each of the pots. Hopefully I will be rewarded with a good, dense mat on the bottom of my tank - so long as my chain loach leave them alone long enough.
only in the tank 6 days , sending out runners already . great buy looks at home already
Very impressed with the quality of the plants and also the delivery, it was well packed and would highly recomend to anyone trying to purchase plants.
Product FAQs
Helpful details before you buy.
How large does Echinodorus tenellus get?
It typically stays under 10 cm in height, making it one of the very few Echinodorus species suited to foreground planting.
Does it need CO2 to carpet?
No. It spreads via runners without CO2, though the process is slower than with CO2 injection. In a low-tech tank it will spread steadily under medium light.
How does it spread?
It sends out horizontal runners along the substrate, each producing a new small rosette. Over several weeks these fill in to create a grass-like carpet.
What substrate suits it best?
A fine, nutrient-rich substrate such as an aqua soil or plant substrate is ideal. It can also grow in coarse gravel if root tabs are added for nutrition.
Can it be kept in a nano aquarium?
Yes. Its small size makes it an excellent choice for nano tanks from 40 litres upward, where it provides a natural grassy foreground.

