Bacopa monnieri is a very popular aquatic plant among the aquarium fish keepers. It is also known as Moneywort, Water hyssop, Coastal Water hyssop, Brahmi, Bacopa, Thyme-leafed gratiola, Herb of grace, Babies tear, Herpestis monniera, Indian pennywort etc. It is quite widespread throughout India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Pakistan, Taiwan, Australia, Europe, Africa, Vietnam, North and South America. In the wild, it occurs along the banks of lakes, rivers, pools, along streams, ditches and rice fields. It can also grow in slightly brackish conditions. It grows immersed with a creeping habit and submersed with upright stems. Its immersed form develops beautiful light pink flowers in the leaf axils.
Bacopa Monnieri is a very undemanding and popular aquatic plant that makes a great choice for beginners. It can grow up to 30 cm tall or more under high light condition. The leaves are oblong and 4–6 mm thick and they are arranged oppositely on the stem. The light-green oblanceaolate leaves make an attractive addition to any aquarium. The leaf is widest and rounded near the tip. It is used as a background or mid-ground plant, where its leaf shape and light green foliage make it a good, contrasting accent plant. It is preferred by freshwater aquarium fish keepers due to its decorative value and forgiving nature. This plant produces small and white or light pink flowers with four to five petals, of which, one petal is larger than the others. Flowers and fruit appear in April to October. Seed capsule ovoid-acuminate or slightly beaked at the apex. Seeds are oblong, truncate, longitudinally ribbed with transverse striations in between the ribs. This plant matures and completes it`s life cycle over the course of three years or more. Propagation is done by cuttings the side shoot or terminal bud. It can also produce new plant through seed production. It makes more beautiful features in the aquarium when a great number of shoots are planted in a group.
Scientific name: Bacopa monnieri
Common name: Moneywort, Water hyssop, Coastal Water hyssop, Brahmi, Bacopa, Thyme-leafed gratiola, Herb of grace, Babies tear, Herpestis monniera, Indian pennywort etc.
Origin: Africa, Asia and the Americas
Placement: Background, foreground or mid-ground
Propagation: Seed and cutting
Height: 30 cm
Water pH: 6.5-7.5
Water Hardness: 3-8 dGH
Temperature: 72-820 F ( 22-28 0C)
Lighting: Moderate to high
Growth: Medium
Care level: Easy- moderate
Bacopa monnieri is known as moneywort among the aquarists. In Ayurveda it is used as a medicinal herb where it is known as Brahmi, after Brahmā, the creator God of the Hindu pantheon. It belongs to the family Plantaginaceae under order Lamiales of class Magnoliopsida. Synonyms of this species are Bacopa monniera, Herpestis monniera, Moniera cureifolia, Lysimachia monnieria, Gratiola monnieria, Bramia monnieri and Bramia indica. This species is assessed as Least Concern as it is widespread with stable populations and does not face any major threats.
Bacopa monnieri is a very popular aquatic plant among the beginners and experienced fish keepers. It can grow easily in an aquarium under correct condition. It does better in clean and clear water with nutrient rich environment. For optimum growth, the tank should have sufficient CO2 supplementation and a high light intensity. Lighting should be ranged from 2 to 3 watts per gallon, using full spectrum (5000-7000K) bulbs. If the light is too low, the lower part of the plant tends to rot. It can tolerate water temperatures from 72-820F( 22-28 0C), but for optimum growth, the temperature should be approximately 760F (24.250C). Sufficient nitrate and phosphate should be added to the aquarium at the rate of 5 mg and 0.25-0.5 mg per liter of water respectively. Regular iron and micro-nutrient should also be offered to guarantee faster and more robust growth.
Moneywort or Bacopa monnieri is one of the most popular and highly recommended aquarium plants among the aquarium enthusiasts due to its beautiful coloration and easy to care for. It can tolerate a wide range of light and hardness conditions. You can choose this plant to enhance the color of your aquarium. It is available in some pet stores and online vendors for the best price. If you want to buy this gorgeous plant from home, look below on where to buy them today.
Bacopa monnieri typically propagates from cuttings. It produces white roots at leaf nodes and when the roots reach 1 inch, cut the stem 1 inch below the roots and gently press it into the substrate. Lateral or side shoots are also used for propagation. During planting with side shoots, cut off the side shoots from the plant and remove the bottom leaves to reveal a bare stem at the bottom of the cutting. This is then simply pushed into the substrate, take care not to crush the base of the stem and it soon produces root to form a new plant. For proper growth liquid and granulated aquarium plant fertilizers should be used. It can also do sexual reproduction through seed production.
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Aquarium Plants
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