An Amazon Sword Plant may have a small, stubby rhizome. Its
stems are on the short side and its leaves on the long side. Young leaves grow
out from the center of the plant, unfolding from the middle. This makes the
older leaves being the ones on the outer layers. Young leaves are usually
thin and light green when they first come out, turning thicker and darker green
as the leaves mature.
Amazon Sword stems are sturdy but their leaves can be delicate.
Leaves can crack or tear easily and they cannot repair themselves. Leaves also
can turn yellow. Yellow leaves can be from poor tank conditions. This may
also mean the plant needs nutrients, so look for plant fertiliser containing
iron.
If leaves turn brown, clear, or become covered with algae,
gently trim them off close to the bottom of the stem, trying not to disturb the
rest of the plant.