New leaves are nearly transparent and pink, turning red with green veins as it matures. Fully mature leaves are dark green. The leaf margin can be slightly undulated. This a relatively easy to grow sword and smaller than most, such as the more common E. bleheri, but not as small as the dwarf swords. The cultivar from which this mutation arose is a hybrid of E. horizontallis and E. horenemanii 'Rot' that was developed in Germany. Although not as fast growing as some other swords, its delicate appearance, rare coloring, and relatively small size make this a good choice for highlights in an aquascape.