Bacopa Monnieri / Moneywort Aquatic Plant Guide:

Bacopa Monnieri is a wonderful aquatic plant. The leaves of Bacopa Monnieri are elliptical in shape, & they grow alternatively along the plant stem. The color of the plant is bright green, & it is a beautiful plant suitable for both new plant keepers & experts. Bacopa Monnieri can grow submerged or emersed. Bacopa Monnieri is also called Moneywort. 

Bacopa Monnieri is the best plant for beginners due to its hard nature & it does not depend on carbon dioxide supplementation.


Bacopa Monnieri Appearance in Aquarium:

The structure of leaf & comparatively slow growth rate of plant stems, label this plant as one of the best selections for aquascaping. If you want to achieve the best color & fast growth, then it depends on the light conditions & level of carbon dioxide in water.

The color of Moneywort is bright green & fresh stems & leaves of the plant mostly seem pink or copper-brown.

If stems of Moneywort are allowed to grow up then it will break the water surface. Outside water, Bacopa Monnieri will start crawling which means it will spread horizontally.


Size of Bacopa Monnieri:

Bacopa Monnieri can grow 12 inches high, but it can grow even higher in high light intensity & will spread in the aquarium too. If this plant is not pruned, it will grow outside water.

Bacopa Monnieri can withstand temperature of water from 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, but the ideal water temperature for this plant is 76 degrees Fahrenheit.


Bacopa Monnieri Plant Care Guide:

Similar Plant Guide: Monte Carlo

Propagation / Reproduction of Bacopa Monnieri:

Bacopa Monnieri can be reproduced in 2 ways. When this plant grows to an adequate height, then you will see white roots that would grow at leaf nodes. When the length of the roots is about half inch, chop the stem just below the roots & replant it in the gravels. Another method is to let the plant grow till it reaches the water level then it will spread outside water & will form roots at every leaf node. Let the roots grow till it reaches 2 inches in length & then slice every root part & replant it in the gravels. It is a better choice for those who want to propagate many moneywort plants.


Lower Requirements for Bacopa Monnieri:

The needs of Bacopa Monnieri are low but it will thrive well if you keep good water quality, with lots of nutrition & medium to high tank lights. It will grow slowly if water has not enough nutrition. This plant can grow when submerged partially in water. Regularly trim the plant to avoid overgrowth.

 

Recommended Requirements for Bacopa Monnieri:

Moneywort grows simply in aquariums, & it has low requirements but needs a strong aquarium light. Use at least 2 watts per gallon of water. Lower tank lights will be the reason behind rotting of the lower part of Moneywort. If water has not enough nutrition then Bacopa Monnieri will not signal it, but it will grow slowly. Carbon dioxide injection is optional. If you really want to take good care of this plant then offer high tank lights, & enough nutrients & carbon dioxide.


Moneywort Water Conditions:

  • Temperature: 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit
  • PH Range: 6.5 to 7.5
  • Tank Lights: Medium to High
  • Location in Tank: Middle to Background
  • Care Level: Simple

Problems with Bacopa Monnieri:

If you find your plant turning yellow or white then it often gives a signal that it has an iron deficiency. Using an iron rich dose can bring your plant back to its normal color.


Bacopa Monnieri Tank Mates:

Best tank mates of Bacopa Monnieri are:

  • Angelfish
  • German Blue Ram Fish
  • Dwarf Gourami
  • Swordtail
  • Kuhli Loach
  • Platy
  • Molly
  • Endler Guppy
  • Assorted Guppy
  • Cardinal Tetra
  • Clown Loach
  • Rasbora
  • White Cloud Minnow
  • Swordtail
  • Goldfish

 

Bacopa Monnieri Plant Mates:

Top plant mates of Bacopa Monnieri include:

  • Rotala Rotundifolia
  • Alternanthera Reineckii
  • Staurogyne Repens
  • Water Wisteria
  • Java Fern
  • Glossostigma Elatinoides


Similar Plant Guide: Alternanthera Reineckii


Things that I like about Bacopa Monnieri:

  • Moneywort is a very versatile plant
  • It is very hardy & can grow even if its conditions are not met
  • It can be easily trimmed & propagated
  • Best for middle to background of aquarium
  • Moneywort needs simple maintenance & it is recommended for newcomers


Plant Type:

Moneywort can grow partially or fully submerged, & if it is grown emersed then it will bloom little flowers.


Origin of Bacopa Monnieri:

Moneywort grows in many locations & you can find them emersed or submerged in lakes, rivers & ponds. It seems like this plant is native to Asia & Australia, but it can be discovered in Africa, Europe, North, South & Central USA, & in the Caribbean.

 

Bacopa Monnieri Benefits:

Bacopa Monnieri can help in cognition, because it lowers stress. Also, it enhances memory formation. There are also other uses of this herb.

Do not take this herb on an empty stomach because it might be dangerous for you such as it might cause cramping, nausea, bloating & diarrhea.

 

Moneywort Aquarium Benefits:

Moneywort has lots of benefits when kept in aquatic conditions. Have a look at top advantages of Bacopa Monnieri in aquariums / ponds:

 

Help fish:

Moneywort provides hiding spots for the fish. Fish are more secure in regions where they have a top cover & they feel more relaxed. Your fish will develop vivid colors in low stress & they will swim in the open.

 

Natural Tank Cover:

Bacopa Monnieri offers a natural look to your aquarium. They are best placed from the midground to the background of the aquarium. They can grow outside water & start creeping on the water surface. They can offer natural cover for your aquarium or pond which stops fish from jumping outside.

 

Goldfish do not eat Bacopa Monnieri:

Bacopa Monnieri is edible but many fish do not like its taste. It is very beneficial for health but at the same time, most animals aren’t interested in it because of its foul taste. But still it is used for making tea, salads, & pesto that can be used to improve the brain.

 

Different look depending on placement:

If you keep this plant in the middle or background of the aquarium then it offers a contrasting accent in this position with its light green color. Moneywort can make ‘plant streets’ in Dutch style tanks. It is an amazing plant when grown partially submerged for paludariums. It can form creeps when planted in terrestrial form. It can grow beautiful flowers above the surface of water. The flowers are expected to appear from April to September.

 

Filter Water:

After the end of the nitrogen cycle, nitrates will be left that are dangerous for the life of fish. You can either do regular water changes to remove nitrates from water or add Moneywort which absorbs nitrates. Pollutants like nitrates, fertilizes the plant. Also, by consuming nitrates, there is no need for frequent water changes but still water changes are required because it adds minerals that can help fish & plants.

 

Sell cuttings:

It is easy to reproduce stem plants after chopping off the stem. It can allow light to hit lower leaves. Trimming plants keep them in shape & stop them from overrunning your aquarium. Also, you can sell the stems. Many plant sellers use the internet for their business. Also, fish store owners can buy cuttings from you or offer a discount.

 

Algae Repellent:

Aquatic plants can reduce algae growth. They can balance the ecosystem of tanks to slow down the growth of algae. Algae absorbs nutrients & if your aquarium has abundance of nutrition then algae appears more often. Moneywort is a very good choice because it needs an abundance of nutrients for growth that hinders algae growth.


How to setup a low-tech Angelfish Aquarium using Bacopa Monnieri:

Watch this video if you want to setup a low-budget Angelfish aquarium using Bacopa Monnieri:


Cheap Angelfish Aquarium Setup


Bacopa Monnieri Summary:


Category

Rating

Family Name

Plantaginaceae

Height

4 to 12 inches

PH Range

6.0 to 7.5

Care Level

Simple

Light Requirements

Medium to High

Carbon dioxide

Not Required

Reproduction

Cuttings

Growth Rate

Fast

Type

Stem

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