Purple bacopa
Bacopa salzmannii
Also known as Bacopa salzmannii 'Purple', Salzmann's water hyssop, Purple water hyssop
Care at a glance
- Light
- High light
- CO2
- CO₂ beneficial
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Placement
- Midground
- Type
- Stem
- Temperature
- 68–82°F (20–28°C)
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Hardness
- 2–12 dGH
- Max height
- 11.8 in (30 cm)
- Spread
- 3.1 in (8 cm)
- Nutrient uptake
- Root + water column
- Growth region
- Submersed or emersed
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Origin
- Native to swamps and slow river margins in Central and South America.
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
Overview
Bacopa salzmannii needs strong light to turn purple and stays green in dimmer tanks. It grows slowly, so be patient, and CO2 plus regular fertilizer will improve both color and pace. Plant it in the midground, give stems a little space, and trim and replant tops to build a fuller group.
In the wild
Bacopa salzmannii carries paired, lance-shaped leaves on upright stems that shift from olive green to deep purple and violet under strong light. In nature it grows in swampy margins and along slow rivers where the tops sit near the surface. The compact node spacing gives established groups a full, bushy look.
Good to know
Bacopa salzmannii is a member of the plantain family, Plantaginaceae, and one of several Bacopa species grown for aquariums. Its purple coloration comes from anthocyanin pigments produced under high light. It tends to prefer softer water than other Bacopa species.
Did you know
The purple color is a light-driven response, so the same stem can be green at the base and violet at the top depending on how much light each part receives.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Glass Aqua Aquascaping plants and planted tank supplies
- Buce Plant Aquatic plants and aquascaping supplies
- Aquarium Plants Factory Aquatic plants shipped from a California greenhouse
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Growing Purple bacopa?
Track your planted tank, set reminders and plan your layout.
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