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.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
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.
Propagating Bacopa lanigera from Cuttings
Overview
Bacopa lanigera is a rare South American member of the genus Bacopa in the family Plantaginaceae. The genus consists of around 60 aquatic species native to tropical and subtropical regions, particularly the Americas, most living in moist amphibious habitats. Lanigera is prized in collector tanks for its finely hairy, woolly soft-green leaves that take on reddish tones under strong light.
Bacopa species spread naturally through stem fragments, so they are readily reproducible in cultivation. For the aquarist this means a single healthy stem can be multiplied into many through simple cuttings.
Propagation Method
Bacopa lanigera is propagated by cuttings (topping). You cut the top section of an erect stem and replant it; the buried internodes form new roots, while the trimmed parent base produces lateral side shoots. Because lanigera is a slow grower, patience between cuttings is essential.
Step-by-Step
- Select a healthy, firm stem with several leaf nodes.
- Cut the top 5-10 cm just below a node using clean scissors.
- Strip the leaves from the lowest 2-3 cm to expose a bare planting section.
- Insert the cutting 2-3 cm deep into nutrient-rich substrate.
- Keep the trimmed base in place so it can develop side shoots for future cuttings.
- Wait for roots to grow from the buried internodes; expect slower establishment than with fast stem plants.
Conditions for Healthy Growth
As an advanced, slow-growing plant, Bacopa lanigera needs CO2 injection plus medium-to-strong lighting and a nutrient-rich substrate to thrive and to show its reddish coloration. Keep water soft and slightly acidic at pH 5.5-7, GH 1-8, and 22-28 C.
Trimming & Maintenance
Trim roughly every two weeks, reflecting its slow growth. Cut the healthy tops, remove tired old lower stems and roots, and replant the fresh tops to renew the group and keep coloration concentrated at the canopy.
Common Challenges
- Slow or stalled growth: verify CO2, light and nutrient levels, as this advanced species is unforgiving of deficiencies.
- Algae on hairy leaves: the woolly texture traps algae under intense light; balance light with CO2 and ferts.
- Loss of red tone: increase light intensity and ensure CO2 is stable.