Plant comparison
Amazon Sword vs African Water Fern
How the Amazon Sword and African Water Fern compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which plant suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Amazon Sword vs African Water Fern
The Amazon Sword and the African Water Fern 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, so a single tank can suit either one. The Amazon Sword is the more forgiving of the two, which matters if this is an early tank, while the African Water Fern rewards a bit more attention. Read the full care notes on each below and pick the one whose look and pace fit the tank you're building.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
Temperature
- Amazon Sword22–28 °C
- African Water Fern20–26 °C
pH
- Amazon Sword6.5–7.5
- African Water Fern5.5–7
Hardness
- Amazon Sword3–18 dGH
- African Water Fern1–8 dGH
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  PlantAmazon SwordEchinodorus grisebachii |  PlantAfrican Water FernBolbitis heudelotii |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Plant | Plant |
| Origin | Brazil | Central and West Africa |
| Family | Alismataceae | Dryopteridaceae |
| Temperature | 22–28 °C | 20–26 °C |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 | 5.5–7.0 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 3–18 | 1–8 |
| Flow rate | Low to Medium | Medium to High |
| Max height | 40–50 cm | 15–40 cm |
| Difficulty | 2 / 5 | 3 / 5 |
| Light | Low to Medium | Low to Medium |
| CO₂ | Optional | Recommended |
| Growth rate | Medium to Fast | Slow |
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 African Water Fern together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 22 to 26 °C and pH 6.5 to 7, 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 African Water Fern?
The Amazon Sword is the easier of the two, closer to beginner-friendly, while the African Water Fern leans middle-of-the-road.
Do Amazon Sword and African Water Fern need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 22 to 26 °C and pH 6.5 to 7 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 African Water Fern?
Placement and light. The Amazon Sword works as background, the African Water Fern as midground or background, and their light needs differ, which is covered in the table.