Red Cabomba

Native to the warm, soft waters of Central and South America, Cabomba furcata forms loose, feathery whorls of finely divided red leaves that stand out against the usual green background stems.

Cabomba furcata needs stronger light than many stem plants — under insufficient light the lower stem sheds leaves and the red tones fade to a pale olive green. Aquarium pH should stay between 5 and 6.8, with soft, slightly acidic water matching its South American origins. Temperature range is 24 to 30 °C for steady growth. Added CO₂ is recommended for aquarium cultivation.

Propagation is straightforward: replant healthy top cuttings in the substrate. The parent stem then branches below the cut. Regular trimming keeps the plant bushy rather than sending a single stem straight to the water surface, where it will break the surface and grow small floating leaves.

A nutrient-rich substrate and consistent iron dosing help maintain the red colour. It cannot grow emersed and is not winter hardy, so it is strictly an indoor aquarium plant.