TankBud

Purple bacopa

Bacopa salzmannii

Also known as Bacopa salzmannii 'Purple', Salzmann's water hyssop, Purple water hyssop

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Purple bacopa (Bacopa salzmannii)
Aquarium Plants Factory · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light
High light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
68–82°F
20–28°C
Max height
11.8 in
30 cm
Growth rate
Slow
Placement
Midground
Type
Stem
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
2–12 dGH
Spread
3.1 in (8 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Medium
Family
Plantaginaceae
Origin
Native to swamps and slow river margins in Central and South America.

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.

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