Bacopa monnieri – Submersed Live Aquarium Plant Bunch

Bacopa monnieri – SUBMERSED is a hardy, bright green aquarium stem plant that's perfect for creating a lush, natural appearance in freshwater aquariums. Also known as Moneywort or Water Hyssop, this beginner-friendly plant features small, rounded leaves arranged neatly along upright stems.

Its attractive green foliage, easy care requirements and adaptability make Bacopa monnieri an excellent choice for tropical community aquariums, planted tanks and low-tech aquascapes.

Supplied as one bunch of approximately 6–10 submersed-grown stems, this plant has already developed underwater foliage. Simply separate the stems and plant them into your aquarium substrate to create a beautiful green midground or background display.

Why Choose Bacopa monnieri?

• Easy to grow: A hardy aquarium plant suitable for beginners and experienced fishkeepers.
• Submersed-grown: Already growing underwater, reducing the transition associated with emersed foliage.
• Bright green foliage: Small rounded leaves add colour and texture to planted aquariums.
• Low-tech friendly: Can grow without injected CO2.
• Versatile placement: Suitable for midground and background planting.
• Easy to propagate: Healthy stem cuttings can be replanted to create additional plants.
• Responds to trimming: Regular pruning helps develop a fuller, bushier appearance.
• Suitable for shrimp tanks: Adds plant cover and surfaces for natural biofilm growth.

A Hardy Green Plant for Freshwater Aquariums

Bacopa monnieri is one of the more adaptable stem plants available to freshwater aquarists. Its thick, bright green leaves grow in opposite pairs along the stems, giving the plant a neat and structured appearance.

Unlike more demanding aquarium plants, Bacopa monnieri can grow under moderate lighting without requiring a pressurised CO2 system.

Under stronger lighting and with suitable nutrients, it can produce more compact growth and additional side shoots. Regular trimming encourages fuller plant groups.

Its light green colour also provides an attractive contrast against darker driftwood, aquarium rocks and red stem plants.

What Does Submersed-Grown Mean?

This Bacopa monnieri is supplied in its submersed form, meaning it has been grown underwater before sale.

Submersed-grown stems already have aquatic foliage and are generally well suited to being planted directly into an established aquarium.

This differs from emersed-grown plants, which are cultivated with their leaves above water and may need to replace some foliage after being transferred underwater.

Although submersed-grown plants are already adapted to aquatic conditions, some adjustment can still occur when moved into an aquarium with different lighting, nutrients or water parameters.

Product format: One banded bunch of approximately 6–10 stems. No pot or tissue culture container is supplied.

Where to Plant Bacopa monnieri

Midground Planting

Trim Bacopa monnieri regularly to maintain a compact, leafy group that adds bright green colour between rocks, driftwood and taller plants.

Background Planting

Allow the stems to grow taller to create a green background behind shorter aquarium plants. Plant multiple stems together for a fuller appearance.

Natural and Low-Tech Aquascapes

Bacopa monnieri works particularly well in natural freshwater aquariums where easy-care plants and simple maintenance are priorities.

Combine it with Java Fern, Anubias, Cryptocoryne or suitable Rotala varieties to create a mix of colours, heights and leaf shapes.

Bacopa monnieri Quick Care Guide

• Scientific name: Bacopa monnieri
• Common names: Moneywort, Water Hyssop
• Plant family: Plantaginaceae
• Origin: Widespread across tropical and subtropical regions
• Plant type: Stem plant
• Supplied as: One submersed-grown bunch
• Quantity: Approximately 6–10 stems
• Colour: Bright green
• Placement: Midground to background
• Lighting: Low to medium; medium light recommended for fuller growth
• CO2: Not required; beneficial for faster growth
• Growth rate: Moderate under typical aquarium conditions
• Typical height: Approximately 15–40cm; can grow taller if untrimmed
• Temperature: Approximately 20–28°C
• pH: Approximately 6.0–8.0
• Difficulty: Easy
• Propagation: Stem cuttings
• Suitable aquarium: Freshwater tropical, planted and shrimp aquariums

Does Bacopa monnieri Need CO2?

No. Bacopa monnieri can grow successfully in suitable freshwater aquariums without injected CO2.

This makes it a good choice for beginners or aquarists maintaining low-tech planted tanks.

Adding CO2 can encourage more vigorous growth, but good lighting, available nutrients and stable water conditions are usually more important than installing a CO2 system solely for this plant.

Lighting and Fertilisation

Bacopa monnieri tolerates a range of aquarium lighting conditions, although medium lighting is a practical starting point for healthy, attractive growth.

To help the plant thrive:

• Provide consistent aquarium lighting suited to your planted tank.
• Maintain adequate nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements.
• Use a suitable aquarium substrate to anchor the stems.
• Provide liquid aquarium fertiliser where necessary.
• Avoid allowing taller plants to shade the lower stems excessively.
• Trim regularly to encourage fuller growth.

Extremely low lighting may lead to slower growth and longer spaces between leaves.

How to Plant Submersed Bacopa monnieri

1. Carefully remove the band holding the stems together.
2. Inspect the bunch and remove any damaged lower leaves.
3. Gently rinse away loose debris with clean aquarium-safe water.
4. Separate the individual stems.
5. Use aquascaping tweezers to plant each stem into the aquarium substrate.
6. Space the stems approximately 2–3cm apart to allow room for roots and side shoots.
7. Provide suitable lighting and nutrients as the stems establish.

Planting the stems individually rather than leaving them tightly bundled helps light and water reach more of the plant.

Trimming and Propagating Bacopa monnieri

Bacopa monnieri is easy to propagate using healthy stem cuttings.

When stems become too tall, trim the upper sections using clean aquascaping scissors. Remove the lower leaves from each cutting and replant it into the substrate.

The remaining lower stems may develop additional shoots, helping create a fuller planting group over time.

Regular trimming also prevents tall stems from shading plants growing underneath them.

Is Bacopa monnieri Suitable for Shrimp Aquariums?

Yes. Bacopa monnieri is suitable for many freshwater shrimp aquariums with compatible water conditions.

Its stems and leaves provide additional surfaces where natural biofilm may develop, while thicker plant groups can create shelter for small shrimp.

However, the plant does not replace an established aquarium, suitable water parameters or a balanced shrimp diet.

Inspect and rinse new aquarium plants before introducing them, and consider quarantining plants intended for sensitive shrimp setups.

Bacopa monnieri vs Bacopa caroliniana

Bacopa monnieri and Bacopa caroliniana are related aquarium stem plants, but they have slightly different appearances.

• Bacopa monnieri: Generally has smaller, narrower rounded leaves and a neat, bright green growth habit.
• Bacopa caroliniana: Typically produces broader, thicker-looking leaves and may develop bronze tones under stronger lighting.

Both can be used in suitable freshwater planted aquariums, but Bacopa monnieri is particularly useful for creating fine-textured green stem groups.

Important Information About Submersed Live Plants

This product is supplied as one bunch of approximately 6–10 submersed-grown Bacopa monnieri stems.

It is not a nursery pot, tissue culture cup or emersed-grown bunch.

Stem length, leaf density, colour and overall appearance may vary with growing conditions.

Some adjustment may occur after planting as the plant adapts to the lighting, nutrients and water conditions of your aquarium.

Live Aquarium Plant Shipping Restrictions

Not available for delivery to Western Australia. We do not ship live aquarium plants to WA. Additional destination restrictions may apply under relevant state biosecurity requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bacopa monnieri easy to grow?

Yes. Bacopa monnieri is a hardy, beginner-friendly aquarium stem plant that grows in a range of freshwater conditions.

Does Bacopa monnieri need CO2?

No. It can grow without injected CO2, making it suitable for many low-tech planted aquariums.

What lighting does Bacopa monnieri need?

It tolerates low to medium lighting, although moderate light generally supports fuller and healthier growth.

What does submersed-grown Bacopa mean?

Submersed-grown Bacopa has been cultivated underwater and is supplied with aquatic foliage rather than emersed leaves.

How many stems are included?

One bunch generally includes approximately 6–10 stems. The exact number may vary with nursery growing conditions.

How tall does Bacopa monnieri grow?

It commonly develops stems approximately 15–40cm tall, although it may grow taller without trimming.

Can I trim and replant Bacopa monnieri?

Yes. Healthy cuttings can be replanted into aquarium substrate to establish new stems.

Is Bacopa monnieri suitable for shrimp tanks?

Yes. It is suitable for many planted freshwater shrimp aquariums when water conditions are appropriate.

Can Bacopa monnieri be shipped to Western Australia?

No. Aquaholics Online does not ship live aquarium plants to Western Australia.

Explore our aquascaping supplies and rhizome aquarium plants for more planted aquarium ideas.