Today we’re featuring one of our favorite low tech stem plants: Bacopa Monnieri (aka Moneywort)

Bacopa Monnieri is an eye-catching, bright green stem plant that can grow emersed and submerged. It is naturally found alongside riverbanks, lakes, and other pools of water. It’s actually one of the easiest plants to grow because it requires little attention, making it perfect for beginners.

It is a popular stem plant because it will fill a tank’s space with an exuberant accent. If you’re looking for some unique foliage to add some personality to your tank, Bacopa Monnieri is the right plant for you. This stem plant will grow pairs of light green leaves that sprout from the base to the tip of the stalk. 

Plant Specs:

Bacopa Monnieri is a slow grower but the time and patience put into this plant will pay off. It is propagated through cuttings that easily take root in the substrate. This plant will even produce side shoots that can be cut and propagated as well.  If you leave a stem floating horizontally near the surface, it will even grow multiple new vertical stems.

Bacopa Monnieri, similar to most stems, will continuously grow vertically under optimum conditions making it a popular mid-to background plant. Regular trimming will keep Bacopa Monnieri short and compact. Stems will range between 4-12” when initially purchased from Buceplant. Once planted, it will continue to grow vertically even under the highest of light conditions. 

Bacopa Monnieri will be happy either emersed or submerged. 

• When submerged, leaves tend to grow larger and longer. If you allow it to continue growing without trimming, this plant will grow until it breaks through the water’s surface.
  
  
• When emersed, leaves will be smaller and more compact. A mature plant can sprout beautiful white, pink or purple flowers that will brighten up your tank.

This beginner level plant requires little attention, but its leaves are fragile and should be handled with care.

Plant Care:

Although adding CO2 to your tank is beneficial to Bacopa Monnieri, it’s not absolutely necessary. It is perfectly suitable for any non-CO2 aquaria.

It prefers a nutrient-rich environment and clean water. You will notice the growth begin to slow if the plant isn’t receiving enough nutrients. 

It needs moderate-high light. It is recommended to give this plant about 6-8 hours of light a day. 

• If lighting is not intense enough, then the leaves on the lower parts of the stem will begin to rot. Make sure to keep an eye on this.

You will yield the best growth with the perfect combination of micro and macro nutrients, clean water, and sufficient lighting.

Fun Facts:

Bacopa Monnieri has also been used as a medicinal herb in the Ayurveda holistic tradition of India. Research has shown that this plant has numerous benefits. 

To list a few, Bacopa Monnieri:

• Can reduce inflammation
• Can reduce blood pressure levels
• Can boost brain functions
• Contains powerful antioxidants

Medical practitioners have even used it for a myriad of reasons including: to reduce anxiety, improve memory, and even treat epilepsy. Insane, right?

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