Sutera
Bacopa
Sutera cordata
Also known as: bacopa
- Annuals Containers and Baskets
- Full Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade
Bacopa (Sutera cordata) is a popular aquatic plant with a creeping habit and small, bright green leaves. The flowers are white, lobed, and bloom in summertime. Bacopa can be grown in or just above the water. It requires full sun, moist soil, and frequent fertilizing. It is frequently used in hanging baskets and drainage ditches, where its carpet-like foliage creates a dramatic effect. It is cold hardy, fast growing, and can tolerate periods of drought. Bacopa is deer and rabbit resistant, making it excellent for natural wildlife habitats, rock gardens, and waterways. Its woody stems make it a good container or potted plant.
Care guides
Watering
Bacopa should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Water your bacopa plants every 3 to 4 days during the growing season, in spring and summer. In the fall and winter, water the plant every 7 to 10 days. Always check the moisture of the soil before watering; if it is still damp or wet, wait a few more days before watering again.
Sunlight
Bacopa plants prefer full to partial sunlight, ideally 4-6 hours of sunlight per day. Morning sunlight is the most important for this particular species. However, too much direct sunlight can scorch the delicate leaves of the bacopa, and it is best to provide a light shade in the early afternoon especially if the plant is in a location with intense sunlight.
Pruning
Bacopa (Sutera cordata) should be pruned annually in the spring or early summer. Prune just above the leaf node, cutting back a third of the stems and leaving a few tufts of small leaves. Pruning encourages bushy growth and prevents the plant from becoming leggy and overcrowded. It also encourages more blooms.