Aquatic PlantsIntermediate🌗 Medium light

Cabomba

Cabomba caroliniana · also called Green cabomba, Carolina fanwort, Fanwort, Fish grass

🐾 Pet-safe

Generally non-toxic to cats and dogs.

A classic feathery oxygenating stem plant with delicate, fan-shaped finely divided leaves arranged in opposite pairs. Beautiful but more demanding of light than many beginner stems.

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Quick facts

Category	Aquatic Plants
Family	Cabombaceae
Native origin	Southeastern United States and South America
Care difficulty	Intermediate
Light	Medium light
Pet toxicity	Pet-safe

Light

Needs medium to high light (around 30-50+ PAR) to stay full and bushy; under low light it becomes thin, leggy, and drops lower leaves. Strong, consistent lighting is the single biggest factor in success.

Water

Temperature 18-26 C (64-79 F) — prefers slightly cooler, stable water; pH 6.0-7.5, soft to moderately hard water (GH 2-12). Dislikes large parameter swings. Benefits from water-column dosing; sensitive to liquid carbon (Excel/glutaraldehyde), which can cause it to melt.

Soil & potting

A rooted stem plant (not an epiphyte) with relatively fragile stems. Nutrient-rich aquasoil or root tabs support healthier growth, but it feeds heavily from the water column too. Plant stems gently and individually into the substrate; handle carefully to avoid snapping.

Environment — humidity, temperature, placement

CO2 is not strictly required but strongly recommended for dense, healthy growth. Best in the background or midground. Prefers gentle to moderate flow — strong flow shreds the fine leaves. Grows submersed (and can flower emersed at the surface). Avoid liquid-carbon dosing, which it tolerates poorly.

Propagation

Propagate by cutting and replanting the tops; the base then branches into side shoots. Cuttings root and establish, though Cabomba can be slower and fussier to re-root than hardier stems.

Toxicity detail

Non-toxic and safe with fish and shrimp. However, Cabomba caroliniana is a serious invasive: it is prohibited/regulated in numerous US states (e.g. Washington, Maine, Connecticut), banned in parts of Australia and listed as a EU invasive alien species of Union concern (banned from sale). Never release it; dispose of trimmings in the trash.

Growth stages

How this plant changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.

Photo coming soon

Spore / recruit

Aquatic plants and macroalgae establish from spores, seeds, or drifting fragments that settle and attach to substrate or rock. Many freshwater aquarium plants and marine macroalgae also spread readily from a detached piece that takes root or holdfast.

Photo coming soon

Young growth

Young growth puts out its first blades, fronds, or leaves and anchors with roots or a holdfast. Submersed plants may look different from their emersed form, and growth speeds up as the plant adapts to the water's light and nutrients.

Mature

A mature aquatic plant or macroalga reaches its full size and characteristic shape, forming the dense growth, runners, or fronds typical of the species. Established plants spread to fill space and can be divided or trimmed to propagate.

Sources

Cabomba caroliniana - Wikipedia (encyclopedia)
Cabomba caroliniana - Aquasabi Aquascaping Wiki (care guide)