Bakopa Monye

Bacopa monnieri, scientific name Bacopa monnieri. It is distributed throughout all continents in tropical and subtropical climatic zones. It was brought to America artificially and successfully took root. It grows along the banks of rivers and lakes, as well as near coasts with brackish water. Depending on the season of the year, it grows either on moist soil in the form of creeping shoots, or in a submerged state when flooding occurs after rains, in this case the stem of the plant is vertical.

It is worth noting that in Asia it has been used since ancient times in Ayurvedic medicine under the name “brahmi”, and in Vietnam as a food supplement.

In the aquarium trade, it is considered one of the most common and unpretentious aquarium plants. Previously (until 2010) it was erroneously called Hediotis Saltsman, but later it turned out that the same plant was supplied under the two names.

Bacopa monnieri has an upright stem when grown underwater and thick oblong-oval leaves are green. Upon reaching the surface in a favorable environment, light purple leaflets. Several decorative forms have been bred, the most famous are Bacopa Monnieri “Short” (Bacopa monnieri “Compact”), characterized by compactness and elongated lanceolate leaves, and Bacopa Monnier “Broad-leaved” (Bacopa monnieri «Round-leaf») with rounded leaves.

It is easy to maintain and does not make high demands on its care. It can grow successfully in low light, and in the warm season it can be used as a garden plant in open ponds. It does not need nutrient soil, the lack of trace elements will not be clearly manifested, the only thing is that growth will slow down. However, if the light is too dim, the lower leaves may rot.