Bacopa Caroliniana
Bacopa caroliniana
Scientific Name: Bacopa caroliniana
Common Name: Bacopa
Bacopa caroliniana is a classic and easy-to-care-for stem plant for botanical method, blackwater, and biotope aquariums. Native to North and South America, this species features broad, slightly translucent leaves that develop a soft green hue under low light and can shift toward coppery-red tones near the surface under stronger lighting. Its upright, branching stems make it suitable for midground to background placement, where it creates a lush background.
Because of its adaptability, Bacopa is an excellent choice for blackwater and botanical method aquariums. The plant grows readily in a variety of water conditions and tolerates tannin-rich environments, while its fast growth rate makes it useful for nutrient uptake. When grown emersed, Bacopa can even produce small, delicate blue flowers, making it a versatile plant for both aquariums and paludariums. It loves a nutrient-rich substrate, so root tabs are recommended.
Propagation is simple: cut a healthy stem, replant it into substrate, and it will quickly root and continue to grow. This ease of propagation makes Bacopa an ideal choice for hobbyists who want to expand their aquascape over time without frequent purchases.
Caring for Bacopa caroliniana in Blackwater Aquariums
- Care Level: Easy; suitable for beginners and advanced aquarists
- Lighting Requirement: Low to medium; high light brings out reddish tones, but may encourage algae
- CO₂: Not required; supplementation enhances growth and coloration
- Growth Rate: Fast; helps absorb excess nutrients and stabilizes water chemistry
- Tank Placement: Midground to background; can be trimmed and replanted to maintain shape
- Native Habitat: North and South America; wetlands, rivers, and marshy areas
- Tint Tolerance: Thrives in low to medium tannin levels typical of blackwater aquariums
All Plants may contain snails or snail eggs. We keep them in all of our tanks for the benefits they provide. Our blackwater aquarium plants are provided by H2OPlants in adherence to their Shipping and DOA Policies. Your curated selection will arrive in their packaging separate from your botanical & merch orders.
Bacopa Caroliniana
Home is getting more natural
While the aesthetic appeal of botanicals and tinted water can be quite attractive to us, the recreation of nature to emulate water conditions, feeding patterns, spawning displays, and territory building are the true benefits botanicals provide to our critters.
Botanical FAQs
Compostable Packaging Promise
Our packaging is designed to return safely to the Earth, just like the botanicals inside. Every bag is BPA- and Phthalate-free, GMO-free, and contains no animal products. Each meets ASTM D6400 composting standards, ensuring it can fully break down in a home compost bin.
What are the Fluffy White Growths on my Botanicals?
That’s biofilm and fungi—what we call the “goo phase.” It’s one of the clearest signs that your aquarium is alive and functioning. These growths wax and wane naturally as botanicals decompose. They’re harmless, even beneficial, and will disappear on their own once microbial populations stabilize.
Will botanicals lower the pH of my water?
That depends entirely on your source water. In very soft or RODI water, botanicals can gradually lower pH as tannins and humic substances accumulate. In medium to hard tap water, buffering capacity often resists these shifts, and you may not notice much change. At Betta Botanicals HQ, our very hard water (350+ ppm) shows almost no pH change unless we use botanicals like Alder Cones or Macaranga Leaves.
When should I replace leaves or pods in my tank?
We recommend allowing botanicals to fully break down into detritus, since this fuels microbial life and enriches the substrate. You can remove them once they stop tinting the water, but you’ll lose some of their ecological benefits. Each time you add new botanicals, follow proper preparation and observe your livestock until you learn your aquarium’s rhythm.
Are your products just for bettas?
Nope. Our botanicals are safe for almost all aquariums, terrariums, vivariums, and paludariums. The only exceptions are goldfish and axolotls, which may ingest small pods like alder cones or casuarina cones. For those species, we recommend large leaves such as Indian Almond, Loquat, or Jackfruit.
What are Tannins?
Tannins are natural compounds released by leaves, seed pods, and bark as they decompose in water. They soften water, gently lower pH, and create the characteristic tea-stained tint found in blackwater habitats. But their role goes far beyond color—tannins fuel beneficial bacteria, fungi, and biofilms, which form the foundation of a healthy ecosystem. They also offer mild antifungal benefits and help reduce stress in fish by replicating the natural conditions they’ve evolved in. At their core, tannins are plant-derived antioxidants that connect your aquarium to the same processes at work in wild flooded forests and streams.