Plant comparison
Amazon Sword vs Asian Ambulia
How the Amazon Sword and Asian Ambulia compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which plant suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Amazon Sword vs Asian Ambulia
The Amazon Sword and the Asian Ambulia 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 28 °C and pH 6.5 to 7.5, so a single tank can suit either one. The Asian Ambulia is the more forgiving of the two, which matters if this is an early tank, while the Amazon Sword 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.
1 note
Temperature
- Amazon Sword22–28 °C
- Asian Ambulia20–28 °C
pH
- Amazon Sword6.5–7.5
- Asian Ambulia5.5–7.5
Hardness
- Amazon Sword3–18 dGH
- Asian Ambulia2–15 dGH
What to plan for
- Asian Ambulia is regulatedAsian Ambulia 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 |  PlantAsian AmbuliaLimnophila sessiliflora |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Plant | Plant |
| Origin | Brazil | South and Southeast Asia |
| Family | Alismataceae | Plantaginaceae |
| Temperature | 22–28 °C | 20–28 °C |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 | 5.5–7.5 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 3–18 | 2–15 |
| Flow rate | Low to Medium | Low to Medium |
| Max height | 40–50 cm | 30–60 cm |
| Difficulty | 2 / 5 | 1 / 5 |
| Light | Low to Medium | Low to High |
| CO₂ | Optional | 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 Asian Ambulia together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 22 to 28 °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 Asian Ambulia?
The Asian Ambulia is the easier of the two, closer to very easy, while the Amazon Sword leans beginner-friendly.
Do Amazon Sword and Asian Ambulia need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 22 to 28 °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 Asian Ambulia?
Placement and light. The Amazon Sword works as background, the Asian Ambulia as background, and their light needs differ, which is covered in the table.