Description
Long known in the aquarium hobby, this stem plant from the southeastern U. S. is quite undemanding and has a rather slow growth rate.
Bacopa caroliniana has been around in the hobby for many years. Its origins lie in the southeast of the USA, where it is found in marshes, submersed as well as emersed. Several forms of this species are in cultivation, among others a smaller-leaved form and a variegated form. The latter is not too different from the standard form, though. One of the most striking characteristics of this plant is the lemon scent the leaves emit when crushed. The basis of the ovate leaves encloses the stem entirely. This stem plant doesn't grow very fast, but needs lots and lots of light, at least 0.5 watts per litre. It grows slightly better when fertilised with micro and macronutrients, this is relatively unimportant, though, as well as a fertilisation with CO2. Under intensive light and with low levels of nitrate, this Bacopa assumes a bronze to brownish hue, when the phosphate level is low, it turns slightly pink. It can also be kept emersed in temperate climates throughout the warm season, e.g. on the edge of a pond, where it grows pretty fast, with a creeping, ground-covering habit, a hairy stalk and characteristic purple flowers.
Source
Flowgrow
Characteristic
Strictly upright growth habit
Relatively slow growth rate
Undemanding
Synonyms
Bacopa amplexicaulis (Pursh) Wettst., Herpestis amplexicaulis (Michx.) Pursh, Hydrotrida caroliniana (Walter) Small, Obolaria caroliniana Walter
Complete Botanical Name
Bacópa caroliniána (Walter) B.L.Rob.
Family
Plantaginaceae
Genus
Bacopa
Category
Background
Difficulty
easy
Growth
medium
Carbon Dioxide
need
pH Value
5-7
Temperature Tolerance
4-29℃
Carbonate Hardness
2-18 dKH
General Hardness
0-30 °dGH
Propagation
Cuttings
Can Grow Emersed?
yes
Height
20-60 cm
Width
3-6 cm
