Plant comparison
Amazon Sword vs Lobelia Cardinalis 'Mini'
How the Amazon Sword and Lobelia Cardinalis 'Mini' compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which plant suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Amazon Sword vs Lobelia Cardinalis 'Mini'
The Amazon Sword and the Lobelia Cardinalis 'Mini' 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. Neither is harder than the other to keep, so the choice comes down to look and stocking rather than skill. 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.
Temperature
- Amazon Sword22–28 °C
- Lobelia Cardinalis 'Mini'20–26 °C
pH
- Amazon Sword6.5–7.5
- Lobelia Cardinalis 'Mini'5.5–7.5
Hardness
- Amazon Sword3–18 dGH
- Lobelia Cardinalis 'Mini'2–15 dGH
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  PlantAmazon SwordEchinodorus grisebachii |  PlantLobelia Cardinalis 'Mini'Lobelia cardinalis 'Small Form' |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Plant | Plant |
| Origin | Brazil | Eastern North America (selectively bred dwarf form) |
| Family | Alismataceae | Campanulaceae |
| Temperature | 22–28 °C | 20–26 °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 | 5–15 cm |
| Difficulty | 2 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Light | Low to Medium | Medium to High |
| 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 Lobelia Cardinalis 'Mini' 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 Lobelia Cardinalis 'Mini'?
They sit at the same care level, both beginner-friendly, so neither is the obvious beginner pick. The decision is really about the look you're after.
Do Amazon Sword and Lobelia Cardinalis 'Mini' 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 Lobelia Cardinalis 'Mini'?
Placement and light. The Amazon Sword works as background, the Lobelia Cardinalis 'Mini' as midground, and their light needs differ, which is covered in the table.