One species · 1 form

Lindernia rotundifolia

Also known as Round-leaved lindernia, Bacopa rotundifolia

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Lindernia rotundifolia (Lindernia rotundifolia) — Buce Plant · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light: Medium light
CO2: CO₂ beneficial
Temperature: 59–82°F; 15–28°C
Max height: 11.8 in; 30 cm

Growth rate: Fast
Placement: Background
Type: Stem
pH: 5.0–7.5
Hardness: 0–15 dGH
Spread: 2.4 in (6 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Root + water column
Growth region: Submersed or emersed
Difficulty: Easy
Family: Linderniaceae
Origin: Sandy stream banks in Asia (also reported from Madagascar)

Pick a form

Variegated takes the same care as the green plant, with medium light and CO2 optional.

Lindernia rotundifolia Variegated
whitish veins over light green leaves

Overview

Lindernia rotundifolia is a fast, easy stem plant for the background that suits beginners. It also fits Walstad-style tanks and filterless setups.

Did you know

Lindernia rotundifolia is a fast grower that pulls excess nutrients and outcompetes algae in modest, low-tech tanks.

Caring for Lindernia rotundifolia

Strip the lower leaves of Lindernia rotundifolia and push the stems into the substrate a little apart. It quickly forms tidy, bushy groups.

It is one of the easier and faster stems in medium light, and it does fine without CO2. Moderate CO2 makes it denser and more compact. It feeds through roots and leaves, so root tabs and a liquid fertilizer cover both.

Top and replant it regularly. On the variegated form, cut off any all-green shoots to keep the marbled look. It grows at 59 to 82°F (15 to 28°C).

Lindernia rotundifolia Variegated is a cultivar that lays whitish veins and streaks over the light green leaf. Tropica sells this variegated plant under the plain name Lindernia rotundifolia, so check the photo when you buy.

Good to know

Lindernia rotundifolia belongs to the family Linderniaceae, which was split out from the old figwort family Scrophulariaceae. It is a compact stem with round leaves in opposite pairs running tightly up the stem, and those leaves give it the name rotundifolia. A variegated, cream-marbled cultivar exists in the hobby.

In the wild

Lindernia rotundifolia grows on sandy banks along streams in Asia. It is adapted to nutrient-poor substrates, where it draws much of its food from the water.

Common questions

Does variegated Lindernia need more light?

No. Flowgrow and Aquasabi give it the same care as the green plant. Medium light keeps the white veining distinct.

Does Lindernia rotundifolia 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 Lindernia rotundifolia need CO2?

No, but it helps. Lindernia rotundifolia can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

Does Lindernia rotundifolia need root tabs?

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

How do you propagate Lindernia rotundifolia?

Lindernia rotundifolia propagates by cuttings and side shoots. Cut off the top of a stem and replant it, and the stump left behind grows new shoots. Cut a side shoot off once it has a few leaves and plant it on its own.