Plant DetailShow Menu

Water Hyssop Bacopa monnieri

Phonetic Spelling
buh-KOH-puh mon-ee-AIR-ee
Description

Bacopa monnieri, or Water Hyssop, is a native perennial tropical wildflower typically found in moist wet places such as freshwater tidal marshes, riparian areas, streams, pools, and muddy shores. It is a coastal and lower Coastal Plain species, ranging from southeastern Virgina south to southern Florida and west to Texas. This plant is heat tolerant, but not drought tolerant at all. This plant is often used in hanging baskets and in aquariums and is sometimes sold for medicinal purposes.

The small succulent leaves are evergreen and the small white flowers have a long blooming season. However, unlike other species of Bacopa, the leaves are not fragrent when crushed. The plant will grow in moist to wet soils, along streams and ponds or in a bog garden in full sun to partial shade. Water Hyssop does well planted in bogs,water gardens and in hanging baskets or draping over the edge of a pot. It will also grow and spread rapidly in moist soil or shallow water as a ground cover.

An important food source for the larvae of the White peacock (Anartia jatrophae) butterfly.

Diseases, insect pests, and other plant problems:

No known diseases or pest problems.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#heat tolerant#succulent#moth caterpillar host#native perennial#riparian#stream banks#NC native#spreading#pond garden#native wildflower#marshes#Coastal OBL#food source herbage#food source nectar#Piedmont Mountains OBL#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#aquariums#Audubon#butterfly caterpillar host#mat forming#boggy sites#wildflower#moth friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#heat tolerant#succulent#moth caterpillar host#native perennial#riparian#stream banks#NC native#spreading#pond garden#native wildflower#marshes#Coastal OBL#food source herbage#food source nectar#Piedmont Mountains OBL#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#aquariums#Audubon#butterfly caterpillar host#mat forming#boggy sites#wildflower#moth friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Bacopa
    Species:
    monnieri
    Family:
    Plantaginaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Used in Ayurvedic medicine
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Tropical and subtropical Americas, India, Southeast Asia
    Distribution:
    AL , AZ , CA , FL , GA , HI , LA , MD , MS , NC , OK , SC , TX , VA
    Wildlife Value:
    Host plant to White Peacock Butterfly. Moderately deer resistant.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Larval Host
    Edibility:
    Edible leaves, eaten raw in mixed salads or cooked as a vegetable. Not poisonous, but can cause nausea, increased intestinal motility, and gastrointestinal upset if ingested in large quantities.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasional Flooding
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Description:
    Fruits are available June-November.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small flowers, 2/3 of an inch across, bloom April until frost. They are bell-shaped, white with pinkish or blue tinges in color and occur in the axil of the leaves.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Small, thick, succulent leaves, 1/2 inch long and 1/4 inch wide, are oblong to oval, simple and opposite with entire margins.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Pond
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Moths
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heat
    Salt
    Wet Soil