PlantLab › Plants › Helanthium bolivianum 'Vesuvius'

Midground · Beginner friendly

Helanthium bolivianum 'Vesuvius'

Helanthium bolivianum

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✦ DIFFICULTY Easy–Moderate

A forgiving choice for newer planted tanks.

☀ LIGHT Moderate

Around 9 hours is a useful starting point.

≈ CO₂ Optional

Injection is not normally necessary.

↗ GROWTH Medium

Low trimming needs.

PLANT OVERVIEW

About Helanthium bolivianum 'Vesuvius'

A compact chain sword with corkscrew-twisted leaves.

Vesuvius' is a cultivated dwarf chain sword whose narrow leaves spiral like corkscrews, adding fine movement and texture to the midground. It spreads by runners and stays small enough for mid-size tanks with modest care.

Shrimp friendly Nano suitable Low-tech suitable High-tech suitable

CARE PROFILE

What this plant needs.

The useful numbers and practical notes, grouped around how you actually keep the plant.

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TANK FIT

Placement + size

Primary placementMidground

Typical height4–8 in

Typical width5 in

Suggested minimum tank20 gal

Suggested tank height14 in+

☀

LIGHT + CO₂

Energy demand

Ideal lightModerate

Photoperiod range8–11 hr

Approx. PAR20–55

Injected CO₂Optional

CO₂ benefitModerate

●

NUTRITION

Where it feeds

Root feedingHigh

Water-column feedingLow

Overall fertilizer demandModerate

Iron demandModerate

MicronutrientsModerate

≈

WATER

Useful parameter range

Temperature72–82°F

pH6–7.8

GH3–15 dGH

KH2–12 dKH

PLANTING

How to plant it.

Substrate: Nutrient-rich substrate; root tabs strongly recommended

Heavy root feeder — bury root tabs under the crown; keep the crown above substrate.

GROWTH + PROPAGATION

What to expect after planting.

Propagation

Adventitious plantlets / runners

Acclimation

May drop emersed leaves and regrow submersed ones after planting.

COMMON PROBLEMS

What usually goes wrong.

Nutrient-hungry; pale or holey leaves signal a lack of root feeding or potassium.

KEEP EXPLORING

Plants with similar growing conditions.

Matched from the PlantLab database using light, CO₂, difficulty, feeding demand and placement.

Aquarium Plant Fertlizer

Helanthium bolivianum 'Vesuvius'

About Helanthium bolivianum 'Vesuvius'

What this plant needs.

Placement + size

Energy demand

Where it feeds

Useful parameter range

How to plant it.

What to expect after planting.

Propagation

Acclimation

What usually goes wrong.

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