Bacopa australis

Overview: Bacopa is relatively a new plant that has come into the aquarium hobby. It is a stem plant that originates from the southern part of South America. It belongs to the Plantaginaceae family. Today, it has become one of the widest choices of the aquarists due to its simplicity, undemanding, easy to grow and maintain features. There are other variants of Bacopa, too, like Bacopa Monnieri and Bacopa Caroliniana, that are grown in aquariums; Bacopa australis is rare and unique. Being undemanding and hardy in nature, Bacopa is considered perfect for beginners. You can grow Bacopa in submersed or emersed conditions where it will bloom tiny pink and white flowers above water and make the entire setup look mesmerizing. 

Appearance: Bacopa is a well-branched bushy plant that can attain 10 to 40 cm height under varied water conditions. It is a fast-growing plant that bore lime green leaves. You can use Bacopa as a foreground, mid-ground or background plant. The leaves are fragile and should be handled with care. Nutrient rich, clean water will help Bacopa australis to attain good growth and exhibit beautiful lime green colour. It is propagated through cuttings that easily take root in the substrate.

Hard/soft Plant: It is a hardy plant that can grow in varied water conditions. 

Ideal water temperature: Bacopa australis can tolerate a wide temperature range from 10 to 30 degrees Celsius. 

Lighting and other requirements: Bacopa is an undemanding plant that grows horizontally and densely under good lighting. The light requirements are low. The plant can develop a light green bush within a short period of time under favourable conditions. It doesn’t require carbon dioxide supplementation and prefers to grow in a clean and nutrient-rich environment. It is the reason why Bacopa is considered a perfect aquarium plant for beginners. The carbonate hardness may range from 0 - 21°dKH, while the general hardness is 0 - 30°dGH.

Ideal pH level: The ideal pH range for Bacopa is 5 to 8.

Do you know: Even though this Bacopa species occurs in vast populations on rivers and lakeshores in South Brazil and Argentine, it was not described scientifically before the year 2001.