{"product_id":"stoffels-echinodorus-little-bear","title":"Echinodorus 'Little bear'","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ci\u003eEchinodorus\u003c\/i\u003e 'Little Bear' (often referred to in trade as 'Small Bear' or Jungle Star No. 2) is a magnificent, compact hybrid sword plant prized for its striking deep red to rust-brown new leaves. Unlike giant sword plants that quickly outgrow standard tanks, this cultivar maintains a tidy rosette, making it an ideal centerpiece or midground specimen for hobbyists wanting vibrant coloration without overwhelming maintenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShort Description \u0026amp; Highlights\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eEchinodorus\u003c\/i\u003e 'Little Bear' is an exceptionally hardy, manageable sword plant well-suited for freshwater aquarists of all experience levels. It transitions from greenhouse green leaves to intense dark red underwater foliage shortly after planting. Thriving best as a heavy root feeder in nutrient-rich layouts, it adds rich, organic texture and warm contrast to any community or planted tank.\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\u003eEchinodorus\u003c\/i\u003e 'Little Bear' (Jungle Star No. 2)\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\u003eLittle Bear Sword, Small Bear Amazon 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\u003eMidground to Background\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\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\u003e6 to 10 inches (up to 25 cm mature)\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\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: 64°F–82°F (18°C–28°C) | pH: 6.0–7.5 | KH: 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\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePositioned ideally in the midground or as a focal point in smaller setups, 'Little Bear' forms a neat, dense rosette. Its rich reddish-brown foliage creates a gorgeous contrast against bright green stem plants or dark driftwood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2. Substrate \u0026amp; Root Fertilization\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a member of the sword family, 'Little Bear' is a heavy root feeder. For optimal growth and deep coloration, plant it directly into nutrient-dense aquarium soil. If using an inert substrate like sand or smooth gravel, supplementing the root zone with regular root tabs or nutrient capsules is essential to prevent iron deficiencies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3. Lighting \u0026amp; Maintenance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile it adapts to moderate lighting, providing stronger lighting and an optional supply of \u003cspan class=\"math-inline\"\u003eCO2\u003c\/span\u003e will accelerate its growth rate and intensify the deep beetroot-red hue of its emerging leaves. Routine maintenance is minimal: simply prune older, outer leaves from the base as needed to encourage fresh, vibrant growth.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Plants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57050287604052,"sku":"ST010529","price":5.52,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/5828\/7444\/files\/Echinodorus_Littlebear.webp?v=1788868219","url":"https:\/\/www.tropicalmarineaquatic.com\/products\/stoffels-echinodorus-little-bear","provider":"Tropical Marine Aquatic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}