Plant Profile Bacopa Caroliniana Red is a hardy, easy-to-grow aquatic stem plant recognized for its thick, oval leaves and upright growth habit. While typically displaying bright olive-green foliage in low-tech setups, the tips of new growth transform into striking hues of pink, bronze, and red when supplied with strong lighting and micronutrient dosing. It serves as an ideal background species for beginners seeking to introduce color contrast without demanding high-maintenance care. *Form Notice: Photos display this plant in both its emersed (above-water) and submerged forms. Depending on nursery availability and seasonality, you may receive this plant in either form. Learn more about what to expect by reading our guide on Emersed vs. Submerged-Grown Aquatic Plants. Key Features & Benefits Foliage tips naturally develop rich pink and reddish tones under moderate-to-high lighting paired with micronutrient and iron supplementation. Tolerates a wide range of water conditions and thrives without requiring mandatory CO2 injection. Care & Planting Instructions Remove lead weight and remove cotton wrap (or foam) surrounding the base, then strip the lower inch of foliage so bare stems anchor cleanly into soil without rotting. *Bacopa leaves are fragile, so handle stems with care during preparation. Use fine-tip pinsettes to push individual stems 1 to 2 inches into substrate, spacing them apart so light reaches lower leaves. Provide moderate-to-high lighting. Pressurized CO2 injection will accelerate growth rate and yield fuller stems. See our guide to growing red aquarium plants. Maintain stable water parameters to support steady growth and prevent leaf melt or rotting in fragile stems. Trim stem tops with straight scissors once they reach the water surface to promote new lateral branching. Read our trimming & propagation guide for details. Quick Facts Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth! Attribute Specification Scientific Name Bacopa caroliniana 'Colorata' Common Name(s) Bacopa Red, Bacopa Colorata, Lemon Bacopa Red Family Plantaginaceae Plant Type / Taxonomy Stem Plant Care Difficulty Easy Light Requirement Moderate to High CO2 Requirement Not Necessary (Recommended for faster growth) Placement / Usage Background / Midground Height / Size 4–12”+ Growth Rate Slow Water Parameters pH 6.0–7.5 Propagation Method Cuttings (Cut stem and replant tops) Origin Widespread / North America Frequently Asked Questions 1. Why are the lower leaves falling off my stem plants? Lower leaf loss (leggy stems) usually occurs when lighting cannot reach the bottom of the plant due to overcrowding or shading from larger plants. Spacing individual stems slightly apart during initial planting and maintaining strong light penetration will keep lower leaves healthy. 2. How do I get my Bacopa Caroliniana Red to develop bright red or pink tips? Providing high light intensity along with consistent iron dosing and micro-nutrient liquid fertilizer triggers the growth tips to produce red and pink pigmentation. In lower lighting, the plant will remain mostly green. 3. How do I transition Bacopa Caroliniana Red from emersed to submerged growth? When transitioning from emersed to submerged growth, plant bare stems securely into rich substrate under moderate-to-high lighting and keep water parameters stable. As new growth adapts, the plant will shed its thicker emersed leaves and sprout soft, colorful underwater foliage within a few days. Once new shoots take hold, trim away old lower growth to encourage branching.
