Echinodorus 'Rubin'

Echinodorus 'Rubin' key facts

Growing Difficulty

Beginner-friendly

Lifespan

Perennial

Size

Leaves about 60 cm long, 3–5 cm wide

Temperature

20〜28℃

Watering

Root fertiliser intensifies the red

Lighting

Medium to high light; red colour fades in weak light.

CO2 & Fertilizer

CO2 is optional but improves growth and colour; add root tabs near the base.

Water Temperature & Quality

Optimum 20–28°C, pH 5–7.

Substrate & Attachment

Plant firmly in a rich substrate at the back of a large tank, where it has room to spread.

Trimming & Propagation

Propagate from flower-stalk plantlets or rhizome division; remove old outer leaves at the base.

Cautions

With leaves approaching 60 cm it is unsuitable for small tanks. Never release plants into the wild.

About Echinodorus 'Rubin'

A German-bred Echinodorus hybrid from Dessau with leathery leaves up to 60cm. Young leaves turn reddish-brown with bright veins on this beginner-friendly perennial.

7 things to know before growing Echinodorus 'Rubin'

1. 1Give it bright light

   Strong, consistent lighting is key to bringing out the vivid reddish-brown color in young leaves. Under low light the leaves tend to look duller and more green, so lean toward brighter lighting during active growth.

2. 2Choose a nutrient-rich substrate

   'Rubin' draws much of its nutrition through its roots, so a nutrient-rich aquasoil that lets roots spread easily helps keep growth stable. Pairing root fertilizer with liquid fertilizer tends to improve both color and leaf development.

3. 3Give it room to grow

   Since its leaves can reach about 60cm, plant it with generous space in the mid-to-background area of the tank. Crowding it too close to neighboring plants can cause leaves to overlap and block light.

4. 4Handle the roots gently when replanting

   The roots grow thick and spread widely, so when replanting, scoop up a generous amount of substrate to avoid disturbing the root ball. Cutting back too many roots slows recovery, so keep maintenance minimal.

5. 5Keep an eye on water temperature

   As a tropical aquatic plant, it needs an environment that doesn't drop too cold. Check the thermometer regularly during seasonal transitions and avoid exposing it to extreme low temperatures.

6. 6Pick plants by leaf color and roots

   When choosing a plant, look for one without withered leaf tips and with strong reddish-brown coloring in its young leaves. Plants with healthy, white, well-developed roots tend to establish more smoothly.

7. 7Propagate from flower-stalk plantlets or division

   Once well established, the plant may form plantlets on its flower stalks. After a plantlet has grown a few roots of its own, cut it off and replant it as a new individual. You can also propagate it by dividing the rhizome.

Frequently asked questions about Echinodorus 'Rubin'

Q.Why do the leaves look green instead of red?

A.Insufficient light is the most common cause. Since young leaves show the reddish-brown color most strongly, increasing lighting brightness often improves the coloring.

Q.Is this a good plant for beginners?

A.Yes, this variety is rated as beginner-friendly. If you can manage basic aquatic plant care, it's a manageable plant to keep.

Q.How big a tank does it need?

A.Since its leaves can grow to about 60cm, a tank with generous depth and height works best. In smaller tanks, the leaves may reach the water's surface.

Q.Is CO2 injection required?

A.It's not required, but combining it with good lighting and fertilization tends to improve leaf development and coloring. The plant itself is rated beginner-friendly.

Q.How do I propagate it?

A.Once well grown, it forms plantlets on its flower stalks, which can be cut off and replanted once they've developed roots. It can also be propagated by dividing the rhizome, and as a perennial it can be kept going for many years.

Handy Growing Tools for Echinodorus 'Rubin'

Learn more about Echinodorus 'Rubin' in the encyclopedia

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