How to grow Cabomba furcata

Cabomba furcata, also known as Cabomba piauhyensis, is a red stem plant with finely divided leaves. It is much more difficult to grow than green Cabomba species such as Cabomba caroliniana. Cabomba furcata is native to Central and South America. It has attractive reddish foliage when grown well, but isn't a popular plant due to its high demands. In sub-optimal conditions the plant is greenish rather than red, with more elongated internodes.

The plant needs an aggressive amount of light to show good colouration and shorter internodes. Greening of the upper leaves coupled with elongated internodes is a sure sign of inadequate lighting. Adequate access to nutrients also gives better overall shape - undernourished plants have thinner stems and smaller crowns. Feeding can be achieved by using a rich substrate or by direct water column feeding, or a combination of both.

Although this plant is known to originate from soft water, it seems to tolerate some hardness and can grow well as long as your KH is not terribly high.

The most difficult aspect of growing Cabomba furcata is its long-term care. It is a fast growing stem plant that requires frequent pruning. To maintain the best shape of the plant, the best results are achieved by cutting and replanting the upper part of the plant, while discarding the older lower part of the plant. However, this means that the plant needs to be rooted out very regularly.

Key success factors

• Aggressively high light levels (100 umols of PAR and above)

• Regular, all round fertilization

• CO2 injection brings out coloration

• Cooler temperatures, higher light levels give shorter internodes

Propagation

The plant will naturally branch and produce side shoots over time. These can be cut off and replanted as separate plants. You can also cut off the top few centimetres and replant, leaving the lower rooted part to sprout new shoots.

These specimens are grown under T5; with around 200 umols of PAR on the substrate level. Fertilized with APT complete.

Its distinctive leaf pattern easily differentiates it from Myriophyllum or Limnophilas.

Click here to find out how to grow red aquarium plants.

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