Cabomba Caroliniana – 5 Stems

Cabomba Caroliniana (Fanwort) – A Natural Water Cleaner

Overview

Cabomba Caroliniana, commonly known as Fanwort, is a fast-growing aquatic plant originally from Brazil, now found across North and South America. It thrives in ponds, lakes, slow-moving streams, and rivers. This perennial plant can grow up to 2 meters tall, making it a great choice for aquariums and outdoor ponds.

Appearance

Fanwort has two types of leaves:

• Submerged leaves – feathery, fan-shaped, and about 2–5 cm wide.
• Floating leaves – smaller, linear-elliptic, and 6–20 mm wide.
  It also produces small white flowers with yellow, pink, or violet centers.

Care & Growth

• Hardiness: Hardy plant.
• Water Temperature: Adapts to various conditions, even surviving frozen water surfaces.
• Lighting: Requires high light levels (at least 3W per gallon). Full-spectrum T5 or T3 fluorescent bulbs work best.
• pH Range: Prefers 4–6, but growth slows above 7–8.

Benefits of Fanwort

✔ Natural Water Purifier – Absorbs fish waste, carbon dioxide, and excess nutrients.
✔ Fish Breeding Ground – Provides a safe place for fish to lay eggs.
✔ Aquascaping – Grows quickly, adding contrast and texture to planted tanks.
✔ Oxygen Booster – Great for outdoor ponds without goldfish or koi.
✔ Edible Plant – Consumed as a vegetable in some regions.

Did You Know?

Cabomba grows so fast in the wild that it can clog drainage systems and interfere with swimming and boating. But in aquariums, it’s a fantastic addition!