{"product_id":"helanthium-tenellum","title":"Helanthium tenellum","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Pygmy Chain Sword (\u003ci\u003eHelanthium tenellum\u003c\/i\u003e, formerly known as \u003ci\u003eEchinodorus tenellus\u003c\/i\u003e) is a popular, grass-like aquatic carpeting plant prized for its ability to transform the floor of a freshwater aquarium into a lush, vibrant green or reddish lawn. Ideal for beginners looking to venture into aquascaping, this resilient runner plant offers a delicate texture reminiscent of terrestrial turf while remaining surprisingly adaptable to various tank conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShort Description \u0026amp; Highlights\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eHelanthium tenellum\u003c\/i\u003e is a hardy foreground to midground rosette plant native to the Americas. It propagates naturally via underground runners, steadily spreading to create a dense, low-profile carpet. While it can adapt to lower-tech setups, providing optimal lighting and a nutrient-dense substrate will yield the fastest growth and richest colorations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey Product Highlights:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ci\u003eHelanthium tenellum\u003c\/i\u003e (Syn. \u003ci\u003eEchinodorus tenellus\u003c\/i\u003e)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePygmy Chain Sword, Dwarf Amazon Sword, Narrow Leaf Chain Sword\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlacement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eForeground to Midground\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eCare Level\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEasy \/ Beginner-Friendly\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModerate to Fast\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eMax Height\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eLighting Demand\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModerate to High (Moderate lighting keeps it healthy; high light encourages denser carpets and reddish hues)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemp: 68°F–82°F (20°C–28°C) | pH: 6.0–7.5 | Hardness: Soft to Hard\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDetailed Beginner Care Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1. Placement \u0026amp; Aquascaping Layout\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePosition \u003ci\u003eHelanthium tenellum\u003c\/i\u003e in the front or middle sections of your aquarium to create open swimming lanes or a natural meadow effect. When planting, separate the nursery bunch into smaller portions and gently insert them into the substrate using aquascaping tweezers, spacing them about an inch apart to encourage rapid runner expansion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2. Lighting \u0026amp; Visual Variations\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile the Pygmy Chain Sword can survive in low-intensity lighting, supplying moderate-to-high illumination ensures it stays compact, tight, and low to the ground. Depending on the specific variant and light intensity, its narrow leaves can range from a fresh bright green to a striking bronze-red tone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3. Substrates, Nutrition \u0026amp; CO2\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a heavy root-feeder, \u003ci\u003eHelanthium tenellum\u003c\/i\u003e thrives best when planted in a nutrient-rich aqusoil or when regular root tabs are pushed into inert sand or gravel. Supplemental liquid fertilizers rich in iron will keep the foliage lush and vibrant. Carbon dioxide (\u003cspan class=\"math-inline\"\u003e$\\text{CO}_2$\u003c\/span\u003e) injection is not strictly mandatory, but it will accelerate carpet density and overall vigor.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Plants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57050293174612,"sku":"ST010602","price":6.22,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/5828\/7444\/files\/Helanthiumtenellum.jpg?v=1788853121","url":"https:\/\/www.tropicalmarineaquatic.com\/products\/helanthium-tenellum","provider":"Tropical Marine Aquatic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}