Markers

You can easily remove the dots of the stem plot with the parameter markerfmt. It is also possible to change color, shape and size of the markers using setp() function.

# libraries
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np
 
# create data
values=np.random.uniform(size=40)
 
# plot without markers
plt.stem(values, markerfmt=' ')
plt.show()
 
# change color and shape and size and edges
(markers, stemlines, baseline) = plt.stem(values)
plt.setp(markers, marker='D', markersize=10, markeredgecolor="orange", markeredgewidth=2)
plt.show()

Baseline

The position of the baseline can be changed using bottom argument in the stem() functon. You can also customize the baseline: remove it, change its size, color, and so on using the setp() function.

# libraries
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np

# create data
values=np.random.uniform(size=100)
 
# position is customized with the `bottom` argument
plt.stem(values, markerfmt=' ', bottom=0.5)
plt.show()
 
# hide the baseline
(markers, stemlines, baseline) = plt.stem(values)
plt.setp(baseline, visible=False)
plt.show()
 
# hide the baseline - second way
plt.stem(values, basefmt=" ")
plt.show()
 
# custom the color and line style of the baseline 
(markers, stemlines, baseline) = plt.stem(values)
plt.setp(baseline, linestyle="-", color="grey", linewidth=6)
plt.show()

Stem

The stems can be customized as well. All the feature that you can apply to a line plot can be applied to the stem: color, width, type, transparency etc.

# libraries
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np

# create data
values=np.random.uniform(size=100)

# custom the stem lines
(markers, stemlines, baseline) = plt.stem(values)
plt.setp(stemlines, linestyle="-", color="olive", linewidth=0.5 )
plt.show()

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