Carolina fanwort Plant Care
Cabomba caroliniana var. pulcherrima R.M.Harper
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Cabomba caroliniana var. pulcherrima is a species of perennial aquatic herb in the family Cabombaceae native to the American states Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Carolina fanwort?
Carolina fanwort grows best in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the Carolina fanwort Native To?
What Is the Carolina fanwort?
Carolina fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana var. pulcherrima) belongs to the Cabombaceae family within the Cabomba genus. Carolina fanwort is native to the American states Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. Carolina fanwort is also known as Fanwort.
Carolina fanwort displays a submerged aquatic plant growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Carolina fanwort produces small, white or purple flowers that float on the water's surface.
What Light Does the Carolina fanwort Need?
Carolina fanwort thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Carolina fanwort?
Rich, loamy soil with high organic content and good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Carolina fanwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Carolina fanwort?
Repot annually in a larger aquatic container. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Carolina fanwort?
Carolina fanwort can be propagated through by stem cuttings or division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to fanwort plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Carolina fanwort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Carolina fanwort, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Carolina fanwort?
Carolina fanwort is susceptible to potential pests include aphids and aquatic snails. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Carolina fanwort is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Cabomba genus — compare its care with other Cabomba species on PlantoScan.
Cabomba is part of the Cabombaceae plant family — browse all Cabombaceae genera and species.
Carolina fanwort thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Cabomba caroliniana var. pulcherrima R.M.Harper, family Cabombaceae (first published in Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 30: 328 (1903)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Carolina fanwort, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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