Plant comparison
Amazon Sword vs Anacharis (Elodea)
How the Amazon Sword and Anacharis (Elodea) compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which plant suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Amazon Sword vs Anacharis (Elodea)
The Amazon Sword and the Anacharis (Elodea) come up together a lot when people are choosing a plant, and they are close enough to weigh side by side. Both are happy somewhere around 22 to 26 °C and pH 6.5 to 7.5, so a single tank can suit either one. The Anacharis (Elodea) is the more forgiving of the two, which matters if this is an early tank, while the Amazon Sword rewards a bit more attention. In a low-tech, low-light setup the Amazon Sword is the safer bet; the other really wants brighter light to look its best.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
1 note
Temperature
- Amazon Sword22–28 °C
- Anacharis (Elodea)10–26 °C
pH
- Amazon Sword6.5–7.5
- Anacharis (Elodea)6.5–7.8
Hardness
- Amazon Sword3–18 dGH
- Anacharis (Elodea)4–20 dGH
What to plan for
- Anacharis (Elodea) is regulatedAnacharis (Elodea) is banned or listed as invasive in several US states and parts of Australia / South Africa. Check local rules before sourcing.
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  PlantAmazon SwordEchinodorus grisebachii |  PlantAnacharis (Elodea)Egeria densa |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Plant | Plant |
| Origin | Brazil | South America, naturalised globally |
| Family | Alismataceae | Hydrocharitaceae |
| Temperature | 22–28 °C | 10–26 °C |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 | 6.5–7.8 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 3–18 | 4–20 |
| Flow rate | Low to Medium | Low to Medium |
| Max height | 40–50 cm | 30–100 cm |
| Difficulty | 2 / 5 | 1 / 5 |
| Light | Low to Medium | Medium |
| CO₂ | Optional | None to Optional |
| Growth rate | Medium to Fast | Very Fast |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Amazon Sword and Anacharis (Elodea) together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 22 to 26 °C and pH 6.5 to 7.5, so one set of water conditions keeps both comfortable. Match group sizes and cover the usual planted-tank basics and they share a tank fine.
Which is easier to keep, the Amazon Sword or the Anacharis (Elodea)?
The Anacharis (Elodea) is the easier of the two, closer to very easy, while the Amazon Sword leans beginner-friendly.
Do Amazon Sword and Anacharis (Elodea) need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 22 to 26 °C and pH 6.5 to 7.5 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Amazon Sword and the Anacharis (Elodea)?
Placement and light. The Amazon Sword works as background, the Anacharis (Elodea) as midground or background, and their light needs differ, which is covered in the table.