Cabomba Piauhyensis (Cabomba furcata, Red Cabomba, or Red Pine Plant)

Cabomba piauhyensis (commonly known as Cabomba furcata, Red Cabomba, or Red Pine Plant) is a highly coveted, vibrant red aquatic stem plant native to tropical Central and South America. Renowned for its delicate, needle-like foliage that radiates in fan-shaped whorls, it creates a striking crimson-to-purple backdrop in high-tech aquariums. However, it is an advanced and highly demanding species that requires precise water parameters, intense lighting, and strict nutrient dosing to prevent its leaves from melting.

Technical Profile

Alternative Scientific Name: Cabomba furcata

Care Level: Advanced / Difficult

Growth Rate: Fast

Placement: Midground or Background

Max Height: 10+ inches (up to 40–100 cm)

Propagation: Stem cuttings

Key Success Factors

Aggressive Lighting: Requires high-intensity light (100+ µmols of PAR). Insufficient lighting causes the upper leaves to turn green and the stem spaces (internodes) to stretch out.

Mandatory CO2 Injection: High-concentration pressurized CO2 is critical. Without it, the plant will struggle to maintain its compact shape and intense red color.

Heavy Fertilization: Needs a comprehensive nutrient regimen. Utilize a nutrient-rich aquasoil paired with steady water column dosing of nitrates, phosphates, and liquid iron to maximize structural health.

Frequent Replanting: Because it grows rapidly, the lower sections can become bare over time. The best aesthetic results are achieved by trimming the healthy top portions and replanting them, while discarding the old root bases.

⚠️ Special Notes

Delicate Anatomy: The brittle stems shatter easily. Always use fine-tipped aquascaping pinsettes to plant them gently into the substrate.

Emersed Transition: If grown above water or allowed to breach the surface, it produces narrow shield-shaped leaves and beautiful violet flowers.