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Stem Plants · Tough

Bacopa monnieri

Bacopa monnieri

Thick, fleshy, light-green leaves with rounded tips. Underwater the stems grow upright; out of water they creep and bear pale pink flowers. Very hardy, and it grows emersed easily, so it suits paludariums. Known as brahmi in Ayurvedic medicine.

Needs

Care levelEasy
LightMedium
CO₂Helps
GrowthMedium
HeightUnknown
Temperature18–28 °C
WhereMiddle of the tank
Feeds throughLeaves, from the water
FamilyPlantaginaceae
Native toPantropical and subtropical: the Americas (south-eastern and southern USA, Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, South America to Argentina and Chile), Africa, the Middle East and Arabia, the Indian subcontinent, South-East Asia, southern China and Taiwan, plus Indian Ocean and Pacific islands including Hawaii. Introduced in California, Spain, Portugal, the Andaman Islands and the Marquesas.
Facts checked against sources on 16 Oct 2026. See sources

How to keep it

  • Give enough light (about 0.5 W/L or more)
  • Plant cuttings or side shoots; it also forms pseudo-runners at the base
  • CO2 helps but is not essential
  • Low light (lower stems rot)

Sources

14 facts checked with sources