Photo: Guillaume DelaitreCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Amazon sword plant Plant Care
Rhynchospora amazonica Poepp. ex Kunth
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's long, slender leaves are a vibrant shade of green and uniquely spiral around the stem, creating an eye-catching appearance. Native to the Amazon rainforest, Rhynchospora amazonica is sought after by plant collectors for its exotic look and ability to thrive in humid, tropical environments.
Every 3–7 days
Partial to full sun
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Amazon sword plant?
Water Amazon sword plant every 3–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
What Is the Amazon sword plant?
Amazon sword plant (Rhynchospora amazonica) belongs to the Cyperaceae family within the Rhynchospora genus. Amazon sword plant is native to Brazil, Peru. Amazon sword plant is also known as Amazon sword.
Amazon sword plant displays a grass-like perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Amazon sword plant produces small inconspicuous flowers in terminal clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Amazon sword plant?
Rhynchospora amazonica requires watering every 3–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Amazon sword plant Need?
Amazon sword plant thrives in partial to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Amazon sword plant Prefer?
Rhynchospora amazonica grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Amazon sword plant prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Amazon sword plant?
Moist, acidic soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Amazon sword plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Amazon sword plant?
Feed Amazon sword plant every 8 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Amazon sword plant?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Amazon sword plant?
Amazon sword plant can be propagated through seed, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to short-beaked beakrush plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Amazon sword plant Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Amazon sword plant, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Amazon sword plant?
Amazon sword plant is susceptible to no common pests known. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Amazon sword plant Need?
Amazon sword plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Amazon sword plant is native to Brazil, Peru. In cooler regions, grow Amazon sword plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Amazon sword plant is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Rhynchospora genus — compare its care with other Rhynchospora species on PlantoScan.
Rhynchospora is part of the Cyperaceae plant family — browse all Cyperaceae genera and species.
Amazon sword plant thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Rhynchospora Species
Other Rhynchospora species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Rhynchospora amazonica Poepp. ex Kunth, family Cyperaceae (first published in Enum. Pl. 2: 292 (1837)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Amazon sword plant, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Guillaume Delaitre, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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