Lemon bacopa is a popular aquarium plant that is suitable for low-maintenance growers, as it grows very slowly and spreads by branching. In an effort to lower the amount of light pollution which can affect animals, this plant is a candidate for scientists to make bioluminescence, helping to light the way without disturbing other organisms.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Bacopa caroliniana, also known as Carolina Bacopa or Lemon Bacopa, is a flowering plant species. It commonly grows in marshy areas in the southern United States and in South Korea.
Bacopa caroliniana is a perennial creeping herb. The leaves of this plant are succulent, smell of lemon if crushed, and are relatively thick. Leaves are oblongolate and are arranged oppositely on the stem. The flowers are blue, with five petals. It grows to 50–100 cm (20–39 in).
It will grow above the water if given the chance with similar but waxy leaves and will even flower underwater occasionally, though the flowers soon rot. Emersed flowers do not produce seeds on their own, requiring cross pollination.
Its ability to grow in water makes it a popular aquarium plant. It can even grow in slightly brackish conditions. Propagation is through cuttings. It grows easily in the aquarium. The color of the leaves will vary, depending on the amount of light. The leaves will turn bronze or even almost red under high light levels.
In the wild it grows in bogs or semi-submersed conditions, adapting well if flooded and fully submerged. It can be grown in or by ponds in warmer locales (or in shallow dishes or as a house plant if kept sufficiently damp) and will grow all year round, but is frost tender (though it will normally grow back from the roots if damaged) and appreciates light shade.
In the aquarium it needs good lighting to grow strongly but will survive in even fairly low-light levels. Prefers a clean, nutriment rich environment.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Bacopa Caroliniana is a light-loving plant that requires moderate to high levels of light to grow and flourish. It is recommended to provide it with at least 2 to 3 watts per gallon of full spectrum lighting. If you notice the plant becoming leggy or the leaves losing their vibrant color, it may be an indication that it is not receiving enough light.
Watering
Originating from wetlands in the southeastern United States, mint bacopa thrives in consistently moist environments and exhibits a preference for high humidity. This species is moderately drought-tolerant, maintaining hydration balance through its succulent-like leaves. Watering should be done once every 1-2 weeks to mimic its natural conditions. Commonly grown as an aquatic or semi-aquatic plant in containers, mint bacopa benefits significantly from a growing medium that retains moisture without becoming waterlogged, ensuring optimal growth and vitality.
Fertilizing
Bacopa Caroliniana is a nutrient-hungry plant that benefits from regular fertilization. It is recommended to use a liquid fertilizer specifically formulated for aquarium plants once or twice a week. Be sure to follow the dosage instructions on the fertilizer bottle to avoid over-fertilization, which can lead to algae growth.
Pruning
Regular pruning of the top or lateral shoots aids the proliferation of numerous side shoots which results in a thick and bushy look / effect after a while.
Propagation
Bacopa caroliniana can be cultivated by placing healthy specimens into the substrate with pincette, be careful not to break the fragile stems while doing this. At the early stages, the plants will appreciate the addition of fertilizers as it promotes healthy growth and overall development.
Propagating Bacopa caroliniana is easy, the lateral shoots (coming out of the stalk at the nodes) can be cut off and replanted in the substrate.
Ideally, these cuttings should be 3 – 6 inches (7 – 15 cm) long, remove the leaves from the lower 2 inches (bottom) of the stem and place it into the substrate. The side shoots produced by this plant can also be clipped and replanted, it will root after some days to form a new plant.
Do not plant stems to close to each other. Overcrowding will cause higher competition for nutrients which will affect the health of the plants.
Pests and Diseases
Melting: Sometimes you may witness Bacopa carolinaina melting in the tank, this might be due to poor water quality, or in cases where the plant was grown out of water and has not acclimated.
All you need to do is to get rid of the dying parts, monitor the water quality to ensure it is in a good condition, and dose fertilizers to enable the plants to bounce back to normal health.
Algae: Algae growth can be as a result of the introduction of infected plants and aquarium materials. In addition, it can be due to poor water quality and excessive lighting conditions which could trigger the growth of algae.
This can be curtailed by fixing the water quality, reducing the light intensity and photoperiod, also by disinfecting plants and aquascaping materials before placing them in the tank.
Difficulty in staying rooted: Another common problem is the inability of the plant’s stems to stand firm in the substrate without floating up. At this juncture, one can employ plant weights to hold down the stems; they are thin, flexible, non-toxic, and easy to wrap around the stems before placing them back into the substrate.
Loss of lower leaves: The bottom of Bacopa carolinaina often starts to look ratty because the leaves at the top get much bigger and block out the light. If you have noticed the degradation of the lower part in Bacopa carolinaina, it is recommended to cut the lower part of the plant and replant the upper part.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Ornamental uses
Bacopa caroliniana is a very tall plant. Therefore, it can be used to decorate the background sections of an aquarium. Its bold tall structure, bright hues, and uniformed leaf patterns accentuates the aesthetic appeal of tanks, thereby making it a delight for viewers.
- Other uses
Bioluminescence
When gold nanoparticles were introduced into Bacopa caroliniana plants they caused the chlorophyll to produce reddish light. While lit, the glowing plants’ vegetation consumed more carbon from the atmosphere than normal (i.e. the luminescence causes the cells to undergo photosynthesis). The Taiwanese research team behind the discovery hopes to implement modified Bacopa caroliniana plants as environmentally friendly street lamps. Popular Science calls this a “triple threat,” in that the “trees” could cut energy costs, reduce global warming, and keep streets safely lit at night.
