Bacopa caroliniana is the stem plant that does not run away from you. Tropica rates it easy, with a low demand for light and CO2, and rates its growth slow. That last rating is the reason to choose it, because most stem plants need cutting back every week or two.
A stem plant that stays put
Tropica says Bacopa caroliniana originates from the US and has been used as an aquarium plant for many years. Its stems become 10 to 30 cm long and 3 to 4 cm wide, branching willingly from the bottom. It has few demands, which Tropica calls very convenient for beginners, and its slow growth rate makes it one of the few stem plants that do not need much attention.
One oddity in Tropica’s own listings: four of their five entries give a height of 20 to 30+ cm while one gives 10 to 30+ cm. The description’s 10 to 30 cm stems is the figure to plan around.
What it needs
| Requirement | Bacopa caroliniana |
|---|---|
| Light demand | Low |
| CO2 demand | Low |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Growth rate | Slow |
| Placement | Stem, midground to background |
Low demands and slow growth make it a natural fit for a low-tech setup, including the Walstad method, where the whole point is a tank that mostly runs itself.
Planting and propagating
Tropica says it is most decorative planted in small groups, like most stem plants, and is easy to propagate by cuttings: take a side shoot and plant it in the bottom. For a bunch tied to an anchor, their instructions are to remove the anchor, split it into separate plants, strip the leaves from the lowest 5 cm, and plant each stem with some distance between them.
Give the stems room and they branch from the base, which fills the group out without any help from you.
It smells
A detail nobody warns you about. Tropica notes that if either the stem or the leaves are damaged, a strong scent is emitted. You will notice it when you trim.
Bacopa caroliniana questions
Does Bacopa caroliniana need CO2?
No. Tropica rates its CO2 demand as low and its light demand as low, which is why it turns up in so many low-tech tanks.
How fast does Bacopa caroliniana grow?
Slowly, and that is the appeal. Tropica rates its growth rate slow and calls it one of the few stem plants that do not need much attention.
How do you propagate Bacopa caroliniana?
By cuttings. Tropica’s method is to take a side shoot and plant it in the substrate. The plant branches willingly from the bottom, so the parent thickens up as well.
Sources: Tropica, Bacopa caroliniana; Tropica, Bacopa caroliniana (bunch); Tropica, Bacopa caroliniana (mini-pot).