Bacopa

Bacopa is a forgiving stem plant with rounded, paired leaves that grow upright in tidy columns. It makes a sensible first stem plant for anyone moving on from hardy rhizome species.

Growing Bacopa

• Stem plant: push stems into the substrate individually, a few centimetres apart, so they do not shade one another.
• Lighting: low to moderate light is enough. Brighter light shortens the gaps between leaves and gives denser stems.
• CO2: optional. Bacopa grows steadily without it.
• Placement: midground or background, planted as a group of several stems.
• Difficulty: undemanding.

Once the stems near the surface, cut the tops and replant them to fill the group out. Stock rotates regularly, so current availability is exactly what is shown here. Plants are sold for local pickup in Lethbridge.

Another easy stem option is Hygrophila.