Bacopa Plant Guide: How to Grow Bacopa

Bacopa plants (sutera cordata) are semiaquatic perennial plants that grow as a low, creeping ground cover. Known by its common name water hyssop, bacopa sutera is a part of the Scrophulariaceae family. These houseplants bloom nonaromatic flowers in the shape of a giant snowflake. Different varieties of bacopa will produce white, lavender, or blue flowers, similar to petunia or begonia flowers. Gardeners often use bacopa in aquariums, window box displays, and hanging baskets.

Plant bacopa in the early spring, after the last threat of frost has passed. These plants grow well with a lot of full sun, so it’s best to plant them in early spring to take advantage of the sunlight. Bacopa plants prefer mild climates with mild winters, like those seen in USDA hardiness zones eight through eleven.

Rather than growing from seeds purchased at a garden center, bacopa grows quickest when you propagate it from cuttings. Follow these simple DIY instructions for growing your own bacopa plants from cuttings.

1. 1. Root your cuttings. Take a series of three-inch cuttings from a mature bacopa plant in early spring. Place the cutting in water, then wrap the cutting in a humidity bag. Leave the container in a warm place in the sun. In a couple of weeks, the cutting should start developing roots.
2. 2. Plant your cuttings in soil. Once your cutting has developed roots, you can transfer it to your garden or container. Choose a location that gets a lot of full sun, or at least gets part sun and part shade. If you're planting in a pot or container, make sure there is plenty of room for your bacopa's extensive root system to spread. Saturate your soil with water to make it moist; bacopa needs wet soil to thrive.
3. 3. Prune regularly if planting your cuttings in water. If you don’t want to plant your bacopa in soil, you can plant it in an aquarium, garden pond, or water garden. Simply transfer your bacopa plant to the water vessel that you want to keep it in. Continue to prune your bacopa if you've placed it in an aquarium; these fast-growers can quickly take over a tank.

Here are some additional tips for caring for your bacopa plant to make sure that it thrives.

1. 1. Give your plant plenty of light. Bacopa can survive in full sunlight or partial shade, but it will produce the most flowers in sunlight. If your plant is in full sun, make sure to regularly check that the soil is not drying out because bacopas need a lot of moisture.
2. 2. Water your plant liberally. If you plant your bacopa in soil, make sure that it remains moist. It’s essential to water this type of plant regularly to keep it happy and healthy. If you’re planting your bacopa in a container of soil, it doesn’t need drainage holes.
3. 3. Prune your plant occasionally. Bacopa is a fast-growing plant and can quickly take over a garden if you don’t prune the plant. Pruning and deadheading your bacopa will keep it in check and encourage new growth, especially if you’ve planted it in an aquarium or hanging basket.
4. 4. Fertilize your plant occasionally. Feed bacopa flowers with a slow-release, half-strength fertilizer to help it grow after planting it in soil. If you grow bacopa in water, the plant doesn’t need fertilizer.

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