Species Water Hyssop
white flowers with yellow center, lime sepals, green leaves and black stems

Water Hyssop

Bacopa rotundifolia

Also Known As - Disk Waterhyssop
Water Hyssop (Bacopa rotundifolia) is an aquatic plant species native to tropical and sub-tropical regions in Asia and tropical America. It is a beautiful, free-floating plant with its bright green foliage and delicate, white flowers. In addition to being a decorative flowering plant, Water Hyssop is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The plant is best grown in a standard aquarium and requires limited care and attention; regular water changes and pruning of the flowerstalks. The plant is a beautiful addition to any aquarium, bringing a splash of colour and a hint of the exotic.

Watering:

Frequent

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Water Russian Pigweed deeply but infrequently. Its thick taproot allows it to survive periods of drought, so water only when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. For established Russian Pigweed, water thoroughly once a week. Once the taproot establishes, you can reduce the frequency of watering to once every 2 weeks. Make sure the soil never gets soggy or waterlogged as this oversaturation of water will cause the roots of the plant to rot and eventually kill the plant.

sunlight

Russian Pigweed requires full sun to partial shade for its growth and development. It prefers sunlight for a minimum of 6 to 8 hours per day. This plant species will thrive in hot and dry conditions, and is very drought tolerant. It prefers soil that is well-drained and not overly moist. The optimal time for Russian Pigweed to receive sunlight is during the morning – ideally between 8am and 12pm.

pruning

Russian pigweed should be pruned every spring, before it begins blooming. The plant should be cut back to 1-third of its original height. If the plant is in an area with cooler climates, prune it again in late summer. This will encourage new growth and blooms. Prune away any dead or damaged parts of the plant, as well as any diseased foliage. If your Russian pigweed is growing too large, cut it back to the ground or transplant it.

⚠️ Perenual and its members cannot be held liable for any health issues that may arise from the information provided on the website or from using any of the plants found on the site. The information provided is intended to be used as general guidelines only.