Helanthium bolivianum 'Latifolius' - Immersed Potted Plant

Helanthium bolivianum ‘Latifolius’ (often still traded under the old Echinodorus latifolius and Pygmy Chain Sword names) is a compact, carpeting rosette plant with slightly broader, grass-like leaves than many “hairgrass-type” species. Forms a low, bright green lawn in the foreground given good light and nutrients. Hardy and beginner-friendly once established.

Origin

• Native region: South America (Bolivia and surrounding areas, shallow waters and wet shorelines).

• Growth form: Small rosette sending runners over/through the substrate to form a carpet.

Physical characteristics

• Leaf shape: Narrow, strap-like to slightly lanceolate leaves from a central rosette.

• Leaf size: Usually 3–8 cm long in the foreground, occasionally taller if light is lower; width around 3–6 mm.

• Colour: Fresh, medium green.

• Overall height in aquaria: Typically 3–8 cm; can reach 10+ cm in low light or older leaves.

Aquarium requirements

Difficulty

• Difficulty level: Easy–moderate.

• Good for beginners who can provide at least medium light and basic fertilisation.

Light

• Light requirement: Medium to high.

  • Medium light: more “tufty”, slightly taller growth.

  • High light: more compact, denser carpet.

CO₂

• CO₂ demand: Low to medium.

  • Will grow in low-tech tanks, but carpeting is much faster, denser and lower with supplemental CO₂ (around 15–20 mg/L).

Nutrients & substrate

• Substrate: Strong preference for a nutrient-rich substrate (soil-type or fine gravel with root tabs).

• Fertilisation:

  • Root feeders: Regular root tabs or rich substrate are very beneficial.

  • Water column: Appreciates a complete fertiliser (NPK + traces), especially if fish load is low.

Water parameters (approximate)

• Temperature: 20–28 °C

• pH: 6.0–7.5

• GH: 2–12 °dGH

• KH: 1–8 °dKH

• Flow: Low to moderate. Strong, direct flow over the leaves can stunt very low growth.

Planting & spacing

• Plant individual rosettes 2–3 cm apart in the foreground.

• Use tweezers to push roots into the substrate while keeping the crown (where leaves meet roots) just above the substrate surface.

• Over time, runners will fill gaps between plants and create a solid carpet.

Propagation

• Runners / stolons: The plant sends out horizontal runners with small plantlets attached.

• Once plantlets have several leaves and their own roots, you can:

  • Leave them to form a continuous carpet, or

  • Cut the runner and replant plantlets to start new patches elsewhere.

Maintenance

Trimming

• Leaf trimming:

  • Remove the oldest, yellowing or damaged leaves by gently pulling them from the rosette base.

  • If the carpet becomes too tall, you can trim the longest leaves near the tip with scissors, but avoid cutting too low into the rosettes.

• Thinning:

  • In very dense carpets, remove some rosettes to prevent debris build-up and ensure water flow through the carpet.

General care

• Keep the foreground free of heavy debris; gently hover the siphon over the carpet during water changes.

• Maintain stable conditions (light, CO₂ if used, nutrients) for best growth and to avoid algae on the leaves.

Aquascaping use

• Placement: Foreground; can also be used as a low midground in nano aquaria.

• Creates a soft, natural-looking “meadow” effect around stones and driftwood.

• Pairs beautifully with:

  • Fine-textured stems (e.g. Rotala, Myriophyllum, Limnophila) in the background.

  • Broader-leaved midground plants (Cryptocoryne, small Echinodorus) for contrast.

Companion compatibility

Fish & invertebrates

• Safe with most community fish and shrimp.

• Works well with:

  • Small tetras, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, otocinclus, Corydoras, shrimps, snails.

• Avoid or be cautious with:

  • Large or digging fish (big cichlids, some loaches) and plant-eating fish (goldfish, silver dollars) that may uproot or eat the leaves.

Suitable for tanks with animals?

• Yes — suitable for most fish and shrimp tanks.

• Fine for snails; they help with diatoms on the leaves.

• In tanks with very active bottom dwellers, ensure rosettes are firmly rooted.

Lifecycle & emersed form

• Lifecycle: Perennial rosette plant.

• Emersed growth: Can be grown emersed in humid conditions (e.g. in paludaria or plant emersed setups). Leaves become slightly broader and sturdier.

Common issues & diagnostics

• Yellowing from the leaf tip or older leaves first:

  • Often nitrogen, potassium or general nutrient deficiency.

  • Check overall fertiliser regime; consider root tabs if substrate is inert.

• Leaves pale or translucent, new growth stunted:

  • Possible iron/micronutrient deficiency or CO₂ limitation if lighting is strong.

  • Increase micronutrients; check CO₂ stability and surface agitation.

• Carpet lifting or rosettes floating:

  • Often newly planted rosettes not anchored deeply enough.

  • Replant deeper (but do not bury the crown) and ensure fish aren’t digging.

• Algae on leaves (especially hair algae):

  • Improve balance between light, nutrients and CO₂.

  • Reduce photoperiod or intensity if necessary, and increase gentle water movement around the carpet.

Special features / Benefits

• Easy, grass-like foreground plant without the extreme demands of some micro-carpets.

• Great “bridge” plant for aquascapers moving from simple gravel plants to full carpeting layouts.

• Helps stabilise the substrate and provides safe grazing and foraging area for shrimp and small fish.

Origin
Country or continent where a plant is the most common. Cultivars arise or are bred in cultivation.

Growth Rate
Growth rate of the plant compared to other aquatic plants.

Height
Average height (cm) of the plant after two months in the tank.

Light Demand
The average or medium light demand of an aquarium plant is 0.5 W/L.

CO2 Demand
A medium need in CO2 is 6-14 mg/L. A high demand in CO2 is approx. 15-25 mg/L.