Amazon Sword vs Cryptocoryne
Two hardy, rooted, low-tech favourites that both feed from the substrate — but at very different scales. The Amazon sword is a big background centrepiece; Cryptocoryne wendtii is a compact midground plant. Here's which fits your tank.
The quick verdict
Choose the Amazon sword if you want a large, dramatic centrepiece for a bigger tank and can supply root tabs and a decent substrate. Choose Cryptocoryne wendtii for a compact, hardy midground plant that thrives in low light and suits smaller tanks. Both are rooted feeders, so both love root tabs.
| Amazon sword | Cryptocoryne wendtii | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Light | Medium | Low to medium |
| CO2 | Optional | Not required |
| Growth rate | Medium | Slow |
| Max height | 30–50 cm | 10–20 cm |
| Placement | Background / centrepiece | Midground |
| Feeding | Heavy root feeder (root tabs) | Root feeder |
| Best for | Big tanks, centrepiece | Small tanks, low light |
Big centrepiece vs compact midground
The Amazon sword is a statement plant: broad leaves reaching 30–50 cm that fill the back or centre of a larger aquarium, propagating by sending out runners with baby plants. It's a hungry root feeder, so it needs root tabs or a nutrient substrate to avoid pale, pitted leaves. Cryptocoryne wendtii stays low and bushy, thrives in low light without CO2, and is one of the most forgiving midground plants — its only quirk is "crypt melt," where it drops leaves after a move then regrows from the roots. Both settle in and get better over months.
Which should you grow?
Our pick
Pick the Amazon sword for a large tank that needs a bold background or centrepiece, and be ready to feed its roots. Pick Cryptocoryne wendtii for a smaller or low-tech tank where a hardy, compact midground plant is all you need. Read the full Amazon sword care guide and Cryptocoryne wendtii care guide, or browse aquarium plant fertilizers.
Frequently asked questions
Do Amazon sword and Cryptocoryne need root tabs?
Yes, both are root feeders that take most of their nutrients from the substrate, so root tabs make a real difference. The Amazon sword is an especially heavy feeder and will show pale, holey leaves without them. Cryptocoryne wendtii is less demanding but still rewards root tabs pushed into the substrate near its roots.
What is crypt melt and does the Amazon sword do it too?
Crypt melt is when a Cryptocoryne suddenly sheds most of its leaves after being moved or after a parameter change — it looks like the plant is dying, but the roots are fine and it regrows adapted to the new tank. Amazon swords can also melt back when first planted, especially if they were grown emersed, and likewise recover from the roots.
Which needs more space, Amazon sword or Cryptocoryne wendtii?
The Amazon sword needs far more room — it can reach 30–50 cm and become a large centrepiece, so it suits bigger tanks and the background or centre. Cryptocoryne wendtii stays around 10–20 cm and works as a compact midground plant, making it the better choice for smaller aquariums.
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