Care Level: Moderate
Lighting: Medium to High
Placement: Midground to Background
Maximum Size: 60cm
Water Conditions: 20 – 34 C, pH 6.0-7.5, KH 3-8
Propagation: Cuttings, Seeds
Coloration: Green
Supplements: High Quality Aquarium Fertilizer; CO2; Liquid Vitamins
Origin: Southeast Asia
Family: Scropulariacase
Bacopa monnieri, also known as Brahmi among herbalists and Moneywort among aquarists, is a marsh plant native to India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Florida. Moneywort has bright-green leaves that make for a nice contrast with other plants in the aquarium.
Moneywort is a hardy stem plant that will thrive under optimal conditions and can easily reach 20 inches in height; If left untrimmed under high light intensity, it will eventually reach the surface of the water and continue to grow horizontally. To reach optimal growing conditions, Moneywort requires a minimum of 2 to 3 watts per gallon from full spectrum (5000 K-7000 K) bulbs in addition to quality liquid nutrient dosing, and a rich substrate. CO2 injection is not required, but will enhance growth and vigor.
If Moneywort is left in poor conditions algae growth can quickly take over the leafs of this plant and cause the plant to die. I believe that this plant has great potential in all types of setups and it will thrive given the opportunity and the necessary requirements for growth.
Moneywort typically propagates from cuttings; white roots will form at leaf nodes and when the roots reach 1 inch, cut the stem 1 inch below the roots and gently press it into the substrate. If allowed to reach the surface and horizontal growth is under way, Moneywort will put roots out at each surfacing leaf node; once the roots are at least 1 inch in length, cut each root section 1 inch below the stem and gently press them into the substrate as well.
