Bacopa lanigera Care Guide
Bacopa lanigera is a Brazilian water hyssop (Plantaginaceae) with soft light-green leaves and a woolly hairy emersed stem; a more demanding collector stem plant.
Overview
Bacopa lanigera is a water hyssop of the family Plantaginaceae, sometimes called variegated or woolly bacopa. It is a South American stem plant grown for soft, light-green foliage and the textural contrast it provides. Its emersed form has a densely hairy (hirsute) stem, reflected in the species epithet lanigera, meaning carrying wool.
Taxonomy
- Family: Plantaginaceae
- Genus: Bacopa
- Scientific name: Bacopa lanigera
- Common name: Woolly Bacopa
Habitat
Bacopa lanigera is native to Brazil, in tropical South America. Like other Bacopa, it can grow both above and below water; its emersed leaves are rounder, about 1.5-3 cm long, with conspicuous dense white hairs on the stem.
Aquarium requirements
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.0
- GH: 1-8 °dGH
- Lighting: high
- CO2: required (about 20-40 mg/l)
- Maximum height: up to about 30 cm
- Placement: midground
Growth and care
This is a more demanding bacopa than the common Bacopa caroliniana. With strong lighting, added CO2, low carbonate hardness and an abundant supply of macro- and micronutrients, it grows relatively quickly submerged and forms a lush bush of large, soft, light-green leaves. It is best displayed as a group in the midground.
Propagation
Propagation is by cuttings; shoot tips are replanted into the substrate where they root and continue to grow.