Bacopa madagascariensis

Also known as Madagascar bacopa

FreshwaterStemCuttings

Bacopa madagascariensis (Bacopa madagascariensis) — H. Zell · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Light: High light
CO2: CO₂ beneficial
Temperature: 59–86°F; 15–30°C
Max height: 11.8 in; 30 cm

Growth rate: Medium
Placement: Midground
Type: Stem
pH: 4.5–7.0
Hardness: 0–5 dGH
Spread: 2 in (5 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Root + water column
Growth region: Submersed or emersed
Difficulty: Medium
Family: Plantaginaceae
Origin: Madagascar

Overview

Bacopa madagascariensis is a stem plant for a group in the midground. It rewards a well-run tank more than most bacopas do.

Did you know

Bacopa madagascariensis is one of Madagascar's very few stem plants in the hobby. Nearly everything else the island gives the planted tank is an Aponogeton bulb, lace plant included. That is why it looks familiar and exotic at the same time.

Caring for Bacopa madagascariensis

Strip the lower leaves and plant the stems in a midground group, a little apart. Bacopa madagascariensis feeds through its roots and the water, and it wants a full macro and micro fertilizer routine. In lean tanks it stunts and deforms its new leaves.

Give it strong light. CO2 is not mandatory, but it clearly speeds up otherwise measured growth. Soft, acidic water suits it best, from pH 4.5 to 7 and 0 to 5 dGH, at 59 to 86°F (15 to 30°C).

It grows at a moderate pace. Trim the tops regularly so light reaches the lower stem, and replant the cuttings to build a denser stand.

Good to know

Bacopa madagascariensis is a true species of Bacopa in the family Plantaginaceae. It was formerly placed in Scrophulariaceae, like the rest of the genus. Nearly all the bacopas in the aquarium trade are American plants, which makes this Madagascan species the geographic outlier. It is stockier and slower than Bacopa caroliniana, with succulent leaves set in opposite pairs up a fairly rigid stem.

In the wild

Bacopa madagascariensis is a marsh plant from Madagascar. It creeps over wet ground at the edges of standing and slow-moving water and grows submersed when its habitat floods. Emersed plants carry fleshy leaves with serrated edges. The submersed form grows more upright and uniform, with smooth-edged leaves. The water in its range is soft and acidic.

Common questions

Does Bacopa madagascariensis need to be planted in the substrate?

Yes. Strip the leaves from the lower part of each stem, then push the stems into the substrate one at a time, a little apart.

Does Bacopa madagascariensis need CO2?

No, but it helps. Bacopa madagascariensis can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does Bacopa madagascariensis need?

Bacopa madagascariensis needs high light from a strong planted-tank LED. In weaker light its stems stretch and drop their lower leaves.

Does Bacopa madagascariensis need root tabs?

They help. Bacopa madagascariensis takes nutrients through both its roots and its leaves. Root tabs near its roots and a liquid fertilizer cover both.