Bacopa caroliniana – 5 Stems

Bacopa caroliniana – Easy & Versatile Aquarium Plant

Common Names: Mint Bacopa, Lemon Bacopa, Blue Water Hyssop

Overview

Bacopa caroliniana is a hardy, slow-growing aquarium plant native to the southeastern USA. Its easy maintenance and adaptability make it a favorite among aquarists. In nature, it thrives in boggy areas, partially submerged. This plant is great for aquascaping as it can be trimmed and shaped to fit different layouts.

Appearance

• Grows 10 to 50 cm tall and 3 to 4 cm wide.
• Leaves are thick, succulent, and release a lemony scent when crushed.
• Colors range from greenish-yellow to pinkish copper-brown, depending on light intensity.
• Produces bluish-purple flowers when grown emersed, but flowers usually decompose in aquariums.

Plant Type: Hard plant

Water & Lighting Requirements

• Temperature: 21–27°C
• Lighting: Prefers bright light but can tolerate moderate lighting.
• pH Level: 6.5–7.5
• Water Hardness: 71–143 ppm

Benefits & Uses

✔ Aquascaping Favorite – Adds color and structure to planted tanks.
✔ Natural Air Freshener – Leaves emit a refreshing citrus fragrance.
✔ Medicinal Uses – Traditionally used for respiratory relief.
✔ Scientific Interest – Can glow red under gold nanoparticles, a potential breakthrough for energy research.

Propagation

Bacopa caroliniana propagates through lateral shoots. Cut a side shoot from the parent plant, remove the lower leaves, and plant the bare stem in the substrate. New shoots will grow quickly. When introducing it to a new tank, fertilizers and nitrates help boost initial growth.

A beautiful and functional plant, Bacopa caroliniana is a great addition to any aquarium! 🌿💧