Wild AI
PLANT OVERVIEW
About Pygmy Chain Sword
A grass-like plant that forms a dense foreground carpet.
Pygmy Chain Sword spreads quickly via runners. Under high light and CO2, its leaves can develop a reddish tint.
Foreground · Beginner friendly
Pygmy Chain Sword
Helanthium tenellum
1 / 2
DIFFICULTY
Easy–Moderate
A forgiving choice for newer planted tanks.
LIGHT
Moderate
Around 10 hours is a useful starting point.
CO₂
Recommended
Can grow without it, but responds noticeably to supplementation.
GROWTH
Fast
Medium trimming needs.
CARE PROFILE
What this plant needs.
The useful numbers and practical notes, grouped around how you actually keep the plant.
TANK FIT
Placement + size
Primary placementForeground
Typical height2–4 in
Typical width2 in
Suggested minimum tank5 gal
Suggested tank height6 in+
LIGHT + CO₂
Energy demand
Ideal lightModerate
Photoperiod range8–12 hr
Approx. PAR30–100
Injected CO₂Recommended
CO₂ benefitHigh
NUTRITION
Where it feeds
Root feedingHigh
Water-column feedingLow
Overall fertilizer demandModerate
Iron demandModerate
MicronutrientsLow
WATER
Useful parameter range
Temperature68–82°F
pH6–7.5
GH2–12 dGH
KH2–10 dKH
How to plant it.
Substrate: Fine substrate
Plant in small clumps.
What to expect after planting.
Propagation
Runners
Acclimation
Adapts well.
What usually goes wrong.
Can grow too tall in low light.
KEEP EXPLORING
Plants with similar growing conditions.
Matched from the PlantLab database using light, CO₂, difficulty, feeding demand and placement.
Cryptocoryne parva
Cryptocoryne parva
Moderate light
CO₂ recommended
Foreground
View plant →
Dwarf Water Clover
Marsilea crenata
Moderate light
CO₂ optional
Foreground
View plant →
Marsilea quadrifolia
Marsilea quadrifolia
Moderate light
CO₂ optional
Foreground
View plant →
Cryptocoryne balansae
Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae
Moderate light
CO₂ optional
Midground
View plant →
Cryptocoryne beckettii 'Petchii'
Cryptocoryne beckettii
Moderate light
CO₂ optional
Midground
View plant →
Cryptocoryne crispatula
Cryptocoryne crispatula
Moderate light
CO₂ optional
Midground
View plant →