I have killed more Cabomba than I care to admit, usually by overthinking the light and underwatering the root zone at the same time. The Cabomba caroliniana Cabomba is a workhorse plant for a reason: it tolerates a wide range of conditions and still looks good doing it.
At a glance
| Light | high |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 22 to 28 °C |
| pH | 6.0 to 7.5 |
| Height | 30 to 60 cm |
| CO₂ | beneficial |
| Growth | fast |
Planting
Plant Cabomba with the crown or rhizome clear of the substrate — burying it rots the base. In a 26-gallon tank, position it mid-ground or background depending on its height. Weaker setups do fine; pair it with our bristlenose pleco care: the small algae eater guide for a layered look.
Light and CO₂
Run 10 hours of light a day on a timer to avoid algae swings. Cabomba grows under high light and beneficial, though a small, steady dose of liquid fertiliser every 2 weeks pushes denser growth.
Propagation
Stem cuttings root readily in substrate.
Common issues
Yellowing lower leaves usually mean a nutrient gap, not too little light. Trim dying leaves at the base, keep nitrates around 10 to 20 ppm, and avoid moving the plant every week — our nerite snail care: algae-eating, non-breeding snails guide explains why stability beats tinkering.
