Green Cabomba [Cabomba Caroliniana]

Green cabomba — Cabomba caroliniana

A fast-growing, feathery background plant that fills empty tanks in weeks

Green Cabomba is what planted tank backgrounds are supposed to look like — dense, lush, and softly textured, with fan-shaped whorls of fine leaves that billow gently in the current. It grows quickly, reaches 18 or more inches tall, and gives fish meaningful cover in a fraction of the time it takes most background plants to establish. Community tanks, breeder setups, and beginner aquariums all benefit from a bundle or two along the back glass.

It is easy to grow but not quite indestructible — Cabomba is sensitive to sudden water changes and does not tolerate hard water well. In a stable, soft-to-moderate water setup with decent light, it will grow faster than almost any other background stem plant available.

Shipping restriction
Due to state regulations, Cabomba caroliniana cannot be shipped to Washington State. If your order includes this plant and you are in Washington, a suitable alternative will be substituted automatically.

Why aquarists choose it

Motion in the water column: Fine, feathery whorls sway visibly with any flow, giving the tank constant life and movement.

Dense fish cover: Fry, small fish, and shrimp use the branching stems for shelter, refuge from aggression, and spawning sites.

Rapid visual impact: Few plants fill a background faster — a new bundle can look full and established within two to three weeks.

Natural water quality support: Fast growth consumes excess nitrates, helping keep water quality in check between water changes.

Planting tip: Plant stems in small groups of 3–5, about an inch apart, and push them at least 2 inches into the substrate so they do not float free. Cabomba is buoyant and will drift upward if anchored too shallowly. Use plant weights on new arrivals until the roots take hold, typically within 10–14 days.

At a glance

Care guide

Customer questions answered

(Q) My Cabomba is falling apart and shedding leaves — is it dying?

= This is the most common Cabomba experience after shipping, and it is almost always temporary. Cabomba has delicate, feathery leaves that shed aggressively when stressed by temperature swings, rough handling, or water parameter changes — all of which happen during transit. Rinse the bundle gently, trim any completely bare stems, and plant the healthiest-looking portions right away. Within one to two weeks of settling into stable water with good light, new growth will begin emerging from the nodes. Resist the urge to move or reposition the stems while they are recovering — disturbance is the main thing that prolongs the melt.

(Q) My stems keep floating to the surface — how do I keep them planted?

= Cabomba stems are naturally buoyant and will drift up if not anchored firmly. Push each stem at least 2 inches into the substrate — deeper than you think is necessary. For extra security in the first week or two, use stainless steel or silicone-coated plant weights to hold the stem base down while the roots develop. Fine gravel or sand holds Cabomba better than coarse gravel, which leaves too many gaps for stems to slip through. Once a healthy root system develops, usually within two weeks, the plant anchors itself and stays put.

(Q) Will it grow in low light, or does it need a special light?

= Cabomba will survive in moderate light but genuinely thrives under medium-to-high intensity. In lower light, growth slows significantly and the whorls become sparse and stretched rather than dense and fan-shaped — the plant reaches toward the light instead of branching out. A standard aquarium LED on a 10–12 hour daily cycle is usually sufficient if it is rated for planted tanks. No CO2 injection or special equipment is required. If your light is on the weaker side, position the Cabomba where it receives the most direct coverage, typically directly beneath the fixture rather than toward the edges of the tank.

What's included

1 bundle of Green Cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana) stems, each 6 or more inches tall, ready to plant.

Ships within 10 to 15 business days. Live arrival guaranteed. Not available for shipment to Washington State.