Great for Nature Aquarium, concave, and balanced layouts
Its upright stems help structure midground plant sections.
Perfect for beginner planted tanks
It adapts well to a wide range of aquarium conditions.
Rounded bright-green leaves
The smooth foliage creates a clean, structured appearance.
Maintains strong vertical growth
The sturdy stems hold their shape in planted layouts.
Adds visual stability to aquascapes
Its neat form balances softer, more delicate plants.
Origin: North America
Type: Stem plant
Growth Rate: Moderate
Size: Height: 20–40 cm (8–16 in) Width: 5–10 cm (2–4 in)
Natural Habitat: Bacopa caroliniana naturally grows in slow rivers, marshes, and shallow wetlands across the southeastern United States where warm temperatures and calm water allow dense plant colonies to form.
Special Considerations: Provide moderate lighting to maintain compact growth. Because Bacopa stems are relatively sturdy, they are less prone to bending than many other stem plants.
Did You Know?
When Bacopa caroliniana leaves are gently crushed, they release a distinct citrus-like aroma. This fragrance comes from natural essential oils produced by the plant — a rare trait among aquatic aquarium plants.
Tank Size: 20 L (5 gallons) or larger recommended.
Plant Placement: Commonly used in the midground, where its upright stems and rounded leaves add structure to planted aquariums. It combines nicely with fine plants such as Rotala orange juice and Limnophila sessiliflora, while foreground plants like Marsilea hirsuta or Hydrocotyle tripartita create a soft transition toward the substrate.
Compatibility: Very adaptable and suitable for aquariums with betta fish, dwarf gouramis, platies, mollies, Corydoras, shrimp, and snails. Shrimp species such as Amano shrimp and blue dream shrimp often graze along the leaves, while the bright green foliage highlights colorful fish like guppies and honey gouramis.
Substrate: Grows well in most aquarium substrates including sand, gravel, or planted soil. While nutrient-rich substrates promote faster growth, plants can also thrive in inert substrates when supplemented with root fertilizers such as Osmocote Fertilizer Capsules or liquid fertilizers to maintain balanced nutrition.
Light: Moderate lighting (30–60 PAR) for 8–10 hours daily.
Temperature: 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
pH: 6.0 – 7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water (3–12 dGH)
CO₂: Optional.
Care & Propagation: Trim stems occasionally to control height. Replant cuttings to produce new plants and maintain healthy growth.
Portion Size 1 carefully selected stem bundle (typically 5–7 stems), freshly trimmed and ready for aquarium planting.
Plant Size Stems are usually 10–20 cm (4–8 in) tall at the time of packaging.
Plant Type Submerged-grown aquarium stem plants, ready to plant directly into aquarium substrate.
Snail-Free & Aquarium Safe Plants are grown without chemicals that could harm fish, shrimp, or other aquarium inhabitants and are carefully inspected to ensure they are snail-free.
Transition After Shipping Some leaves may melt or change appearance after planting as the plant adapts to new aquarium conditions. This is a normal transition and new submerged growth will develop shortly.
Planting Guide
- 1.Remove the protective plastic packaging.
- 2.Gently remove the filter floss and rubber band holding the stems together.
- 3.Rinse the stems gently with clean water.
- 4.Separate the bundle into individual stems.
- 5.Plant each stem about 2–3 cm (1–1.5 in) deep into the substrate.
- 6.Leave small spacing between stems so they have room to grow and spread.
- 7.If a stem floats out, plant it slightly deeper or at a slight angle to help it anchor.
Tip
Aquascaping tweezers from our aquascaping tool set can make planting stem plants easier and allow precise placement in the substrate.
