Carolina fanwort

The fan-shaped leaf divisions and the fast growth rate make Cabomba caroliniana one of the most recognizable stem plants in the hobby. Each leaf spreads into fine, comb-like segments arranged in opposite pairs along a brittle stem, and the colour ranges from bright green to a reddish tint depending on light intensity.

It is native to the Americas from the southern United States down to Brazil, but it has been introduced to waterways worldwide and is invasive in parts of Asia, Australia, and Europe. In the aquarium it needs moderate to strong light to keep the lower leaves from dropping and the stems from going bare. Under low light the plant slowly deteriorates.

Soft, slightly acidic water in the range of pH 5.5 to 7.5 and temperatures from 18 to 26 °C give the best results. CO₂ injection makes a visible difference in stem density and prevents the thin, stretched growth that appears without it. The stems are delicate and break easily during maintenance, but each broken piece can be replanted as a cutting.

Growing emersed produces small yellow flowers at the surface. Propagation is straightforward: cut a healthy stem, strip the lower leaves, and plant it in the substrate. Roots appear within days. Regular trimming keeps the plant bushy and prevents it from reaching the surface too quickly.