Bacopa caroliniana

Scientific name: Bacopa caroliniana

Family: Scrophulariaceae

Maximum size reached under cultivation: 20 - 30 cm (7.87 - 11.81 inch)

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Recommended pH range: 6 - 7.5

Recommended water hardness: 2 - 15°dGH (35.71 - 267.86ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature range: 20 - 28 °C (68 - 82.4°F)

Preferred propagation method: Lateral shoots

Native to: North America

Growth rate: Normal

Recommended substrate: Fine gravel

Lighting requirements: Bright

Ideal placement in tank: Background

🌿 Common Names

Bacopa caroliniana is commonly known as Blue Water Hyssop, Lemon Bacopa, or simply Water Hyssop.

💡 Lighting Requirements

This plant thrives in bright to medium lighting. Under high-intensity lighting, the leaves may develop a bronze or reddish tint, while under lower light, the plant tends to grow taller and lean toward the surface. For compact and bushy growth, bright light is recommended.

💧 Water Parameters

Temperature: 20–28 °C (68–82 °F)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard (2–15 dGH)

📍 Placement in Aquarium

Bacopa caroliniana can be placed in the background or midground, depending on trimming frequency and lighting. In nano tanks, it’s often used as a background plant; in larger tanks, grouped stems can create lush green zones.

🌱 Propagation

Bacopa caroliniana is easy to propagate through stem cuttings and lateral shoots. Here's how:

• Snip a healthy stem or remove a side shoot from the main plant.
• Trim the bottom few leaves to expose a bare portion of the stem.
• Plant the cutting into the substrate. Be gentle to avoid damaging the soft stem.

Cuttings root quickly, especially when nutrients and lighting are adequate. Fertilizing newly planted cuttings helps with faster establishment and vigorous growth.

⚙️ Difficulty

Very easy. Bacopa caroliniana is beginner-friendly, tolerant of variable water conditions, and forgiving of small maintenance lapses. It thrives with basic care, as long as lighting and nutrients are adequate.

📝 Short Description

Bacopa caroliniana is a slow- to moderate-growing stem plant native to wetlands in North America. It can be grown submerged or emersed, making it suitable for aquariums, terrariums, and paludariums. When grown emersed, it often produces small blue to purple flowers, though in aquariums the flowers rarely last long.

The plant is known for its bright green, rounded leaves that may turn reddish under intense lighting. When crushed, the leaves release a citrus-like aroma, adding to its appeal in open-top setups. In addition to ornamental use, Bacopa caroliniana has been studied for its antioxidant properties and historical use in herbal medicine, though not commonly consumed.