Bacopa Monnieri

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Herb of Grace; Water Hyssop

Synonyms

Bacopa monnieri var. Platinum; Platinum Bacopa

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

Captive-bred variety

Sourcing

Tissue culture

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Difficult

Growth form

Stem

Max height

4 – 12 in (10 – 30 cm)

Spread

6 in (15 cm)

Growth rate

Moderate

Placement

Midground, Background

Water

Temperature

68 – 82 °F (20 – 28 °C)

pH

6.0 – 7.5

GH

4 – 12 dGH

Flow

Low-Moderate

Light

High

CO₂

Beneficial

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Both

Fertilizer needs

High

Colors

Green, Cream, Variegated

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Cuttings

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Care guide

Overview

Growing four to twelve inches tall on upright stalks, this stem plant forms a dense vertical backdrop within a few centimeters of spacing between cuttings. Its rounded light green leaves and moderate growth rate make it forgiving for beginners, and emersed specimens can produce small pink and white flowers. It roots quickly from trimmed tops.

Care

This cultivar is a reduced-chlorophyll sport of standard Bacopa monnieri, carrying the same thick, rounded, paired leaves on upright stems but marbled in mint green and cream-white rather than solid green. Because it photosynthesizes less efficiently than the green form, it needs medium to high light plus stable CO2 injection and consistent nutrient dosing to hold its pale coloration and stay compact; under weak light it stretches and produces long internodes. Regular trimming and replanting of the healthiest tops keeps the stand dense and prevents legginess, and some stems may revert partially to green over time under less demanding conditions.

Planting & trimming

Plant stem cuttings a few centimeters apart directly into a nutrient-rich substrate, burying the lower node so roots can establish; tissue-cultured portions should have their gel rinsed off before being divided into small clumps and planted with tweezers. Position it in the midground to background where its pale tone contrasts against darker green plants and hardscape. Trim on a regular schedule to maintain tight internodes and replant the cut tops to build density over time.

Fertilizing

Root tabs pushed into a nutrient-rich substrate support steady growth, and liquid fertilizer dosed for iron and other micronutrients helps maintain leaf quality since this variety has less chlorophyll to work with. Pale or yellowing new growth usually signals iron or micronutrient deficiency rather than a lighting problem alone, so fertilizer dosing should be checked before increasing light intensity. It tolerates a wide range of water chemistry but rewards a consistent fertilizing routine rather than occasional heavy doses.

Propagation

Propagation follows the same method as any stem plant: cut a healthy top section, remove the lower leaves, and replant the cutting directly into the substrate where it will root within a couple of weeks. The parent stem will typically branch and continue producing new tops that can also be harvested for further propagation. Under strong light and stable CO2 it can spread laterally along the substrate in a semi-creeping fashion, giving extra material for propagation.

Problems

Being a low-chlorophyll mutation, this plant is more delicate than ordinary green Bacopa and can decline or revert toward green if light, CO2, or nutrients are inconsistent. Weak or unstable conditions lead to thin, elongated stems reaching for light rather than a compact, bushy form. Algae can settle on the pale leaves more visibly than on darker plants, so good flow and balanced nutrients help keep the foliage clean.

Sources

1. Bacopa Monnieri 'Platinum' – Cherries Nature Aquarium
2. Bacopa Platinum TC | The Aquascape Shop
3. Bacopa Monnieri Platinum [TC] - Green Water Aquascapes
4. C30 Bacopa monnieri Platinum Stem Plants

Varieties in the catalog

Bacopa Monnieri 'Moneywort'Moneywort (Bacopa Monnieri)

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