Plant comparison
Chain Sword vs Helanthium 'Vesuvius'
How the Chain Sword and Helanthium 'Vesuvius' compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which plant suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Chain Sword vs Helanthium 'Vesuvius'
The Chain Sword and the Helanthium 'Vesuvius' are close cousins, both in the Helanthium group, so at a glance they ask for a lot of the same things. Both are happy somewhere around 22 to 28 °C and pH 6 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. 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
- Chain Sword20–28 °C
- Helanthium 'Vesuvius'22–28 °C
pH
- Chain Sword6–7.5
- Helanthium 'Vesuvius'6–7.5
Hardness
- Chain Sword2–15 dGH
- Helanthium 'Vesuvius'2–15 dGH
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  PlantChain SwordHelanthium tenellum |  PlantHelanthium 'Vesuvius'Helanthium bolivianum 'Vesuvius' |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Plant | Plant |
| Origin | South and Central America | Selectively bred cultivar (sport of H. bolivianum, South American parentage) |
| Family | Alismataceae | Alismataceae |
| Temperature | 20–28 °C | 22–28 °C |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 | 6.0–7.5 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 2–15 | 2–15 |
| Flow rate | Low to Medium | Low to Medium |
| Max height | 5–12 cm | 10–20 cm |
| Difficulty | 2 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Light | Medium to High | Medium to High |
| CO₂ | Optional | Optional |
| Growth rate | Medium | Medium |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Chain Sword and Helanthium 'Vesuvius' together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 22 to 28 °C and pH 6 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 Chain Sword or the Helanthium 'Vesuvius'?
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 Chain Sword and Helanthium 'Vesuvius' need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 22 to 28 °C and pH 6 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 Chain Sword and the Helanthium 'Vesuvius'?
Placement and light. The Chain Sword works as foreground or midground, the Helanthium 'Vesuvius' as midground, and their light needs differ, which is covered in the table.