Red Cabomba care guide
Red Cabomba (Cabomba furcata) — high light, 24-28 °C, pH 5.5-6.8, CO2 recommended.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Red Cabomba (Cabomba furcata) is an aquatic plant of the family Cabombaceae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as an intermediate-level species. It is typically grown under high light with pressurised CO2 injection on nutrient-rich aquasoil. The red-colored variant of the Cabomba family, featuring finely divided fan-shaped leaves in shades of red, orange, and pink. More demanding than the common green Cabomba, requiring high light and CO2 to maintain its vibrant coloration.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cabombaceae
- Genus: Cabomba
- Scientific name: Cabomba furcata
- Common synonyms: Forked Fanwort, Cabomba piauhyensis
Habitat
Cabomba is a Neotropical genus of submersed aquatic plants (Cabombaceae) from quiet streams and ponds of South and Central America. The fan-shaped underwater leaves are very finely divided. In the Aquairi knowledge base, populations associated with this form are recorded from South America.
Growth requirements
- Lighting: high
- CO2: recommended
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-6.8
- GH: 1-6 °dGH
- Substrate: nutrient-rich aquasoil
- Maximum height: 40 cm
- Growth rate: medium
- Recommended placement: background
Placement
Background stem; the delicate foliage demands strong light, clear water and CO2 to remain dense and bright. In the Aquairi knowledge base this form is recommended for the background under high light with pressurised CO2 injection, using nutrient-rich aquasoil.
Propagation
Propagated by cuttings; healthy tops replanted into soft substrate root within days under stable conditions. Documented propagation techniques for this entry include: stem cuttings.
Common issues
Leaf shedding from the lower stem usually indicates shading or low light intensity reaching the bottom of the bush; topping and replanting the fresh apex restores density.
Propagating Cabomba furcata (Red Cabomba)
Overview
Cabomba furcata, the red or forked fanwort, is a perennial aquatic herb with finely divided, dichotomously or trichotomously branched fan-shaped leaves in dark purple-red. It is far more demanding than the common green Cabomba species and is prized for the colour it brings to a planted tank.
Propagation Method
Propagation is by stem cuttings and fragmentation. The reliable method is to cut and replant the upper part of the plant while discarding the older, lower portion, which keeps the new plant in its best shape.
Step-by-Step
- Choose a vigorous, well-coloured top shoot, since the upper part replants best.
- Cut a length of 10–15 cm with sharp scissors, handling the fragile fan leaves gently.
- Strip the lowest whorl of leaves and plant the bare stem into nutrient-rich substrate.
- Discard the older lower stem rather than replanting it, and give the cutting strong light to settle.
Conditions for Healthy Growth
This is a high-light, CO2-demanding plant: carbon dioxide addition is usually necessary, and an aggressive amount of light is needed for good colour and short internodes. It originates from soft water but tolerates some hardness as long as KH is not very high. Rich substrate or water-column feeding improves stem thickness and crown size.
Trimming & Maintenance
Cabomba furcata is fast-growing and needs frequent pruning; its long-term care is the hardest part. Trim and replant the tops regularly, discarding tired lower stems, to keep a compact, well-coloured group.
Common Challenges
The leaves are fragile and shed easily when handled roughly, and the plant quickly loses colour and stretches under weak light or poor nutrition. Thin stems and small crowns indicate undernourishment; richer feeding restores fuller growth.