Cabomba caroliniana
Feathery fan-shaped whorls of leaves, the classic 'fluffy green' background plant. Demanding of light; melts away in low-tech tanks and resents being uprooted. Tolerates cooler water than most tropicals (down to 18 °C). Listed as invasive in some warm-water regions, check before disposing of cuttings.
Green Cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana) is a stem aquatic plant for the background of a planted tank. It reaches 30–80 cm under good conditions and grows at a fast rate. Light: medium to high. CO₂: recommended. Target 18–26 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, and 2–15 dGH. Substrate: Nutrient-rich substrate. Propagate via cuttings.
Care at a glance
Feathery fan-shaped whorls of leaves, the classic 'fluffy green' background plant. Demanding of light; melts away in low-tech tanks and resents being uprooted. Tolerates cooler water than most tropicals (down to 18 °C). Listed as invasive in some warm-water regions, check before disposing of cuttings.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete guide to the planted aquarium.
The parameters that decide whether green cabomba fits in your tank.
Cabombaceae
Stem
Background
Nutrient-rich substrate
Cuttings
Slow vegetated rivers and ponds across the Americas
Eastern North America to South America
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
CO₂ requirement: recommended. Light requirement: medium to high. Under low-tech conditions the plant grows at a fast rate.
Green Cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana) needs medium to high light. Run a photoperiod of 6–8 hours; longer photoperiods invite algae unless CO₂ and dosing are dialled in.
Position: background. Substrate: Nutrient-rich substrate It typically reaches 30–80 cm.
Propagation method: Cuttings. Green Cabomba is a stem plant.
Target 18–26 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, and 2–15 dGH. Flow tolerance: low to medium.
Difficulty: 2/5. Forgiving, beginner-friendly once the tank is cycled.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this plant with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
