Biological invasions are among the world's severe problems that have become the common challenge in the face of biological and ecological security. Cabomba caroliniana Gray is a popular aquarium plant that is native to Central America and has spread throughout the world through human business, transportation and other activities. It has widely invaded Asia, Europe and Oceania, and is widely distributed in the Yangtze River Delta of China, too. This paper reviewed the ecological habit, harmfulness, invasion, prevention and management of C. caroliniana, and analyzed its mechanism of invasion. C. caroliniana is capable of colonizing habitats and appropriating space and resources of native species due to its traits such as robust regeneration, quick establishment and adaptability to new habitats. The resulting fast increase in densities is associated with a wide range of negative impacts on environment, biology, and economy of invaded regions. Suitable climatic conditions and vacant niche resources are the principal environmental factors of C. caroliniana invasion. Numerous physical, chemical, and biological measures are employed to control C. caroliniana, but results are inconsistent and multiple methods and repeated treatments are often required. Therefore, it is urgent to carry out basic research and scientific prediction on the potential distribution of C. caroliniana before it spreads more widely. In the meantime, an integrated management system, which focuses on early detection and rapid response in possible water bodies, may be worked out for slowing down the C. caroliniana invasion.