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How to Plant and Grow Bacopa Flowers

Ornamental bacopa flowers - Latin name - Chaenostoma cordatum
Image Credit:
Nahhana/Shutterstock
Botanical Name
Chaenostoma cordatum, aka Sutera cordata
Life Cycle
Tender Perennial
USDA Zones
9a
9b
10a
10b
11a
11b
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Partial Sun
Partial Shade
Water Needs
High
Height
Under 1 foot
Spread
Under 1 foot
Soil pH
Acidic
Bloom Time
Spring
Summer
Flower Color
Blue
Purple
Red
White
Yellow
Special Features
Container-Friendly
Disease-Resistant
Long Blooming
Low Maintenance
Attracts Butterflies
Attracts Hummingbirds
Attracts Pollinators
Deer-resistant
Rabbit-resistant
Plant Type
Flowers
Written By: Carol Connare Editor-in-Chief, The Old Farmer's Almanac
Almanac Guide to Herbs

Bring a cascade of color to your garden with bacopa! Whether spilling from a hanging basket or brightening a flower bed, this easy-to-grow annual delivers long-lasting blooms with minimal fuss. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about planting, caring for, and enjoying bacopa all season long.

About Bacopa

Let it snow! The Chaenostoma cordatum, aka Sutera cordata, cultivar ‘Snowflake’ offers a blizzard of crisp, white, five-lobed flowers and evergreen foliage on lush, trailing stems. A South African native, what we know today as C. cordatum has been the subject of a number of genus reassignments and common name changes since the early part of the 19th century and has been known at one time or another as Sutera diffusus, Bacopa cordata (which is technically incorrect, inasmuch as Bacopa is the genus for water hyssop), and simply “bacopa.”

This fast-growing plant blooms abundantly from late spring to first fall frost in sun, with adequate water. Although best known for its white flowers, bacopa also has cultivars that produce flowers in blue, pink, and purple. Bacopa is also grown as a groundcover.

C. cordatum is a winter annual or perennial in Zones 9 to 11 and treated as an annual elsewhere.

Planting

Bacopa is a versatile and rewarding plant to grow, especially for gardeners looking to add trailing color to containers or groundcover to flower beds. While bacopa can be propagated from cuttings, it’s often easier and more reliable to purchase starter plants or nursery transplants, especially for first-time growers.

Where to Plant Bacopa

Bacopa isn’t fussy about soil pH, but it does demand excellent drainage. Soggy soil or standing water can quickly lead to root rot, so avoid heavy clay and compacted areas. A light, well-draining soil enriched with compost or organic matter creates the ideal environment for root development.

Place bacopa where it receives full sun to partial shade—at least 4 to 6 hours of sun daily for the most abundant flowering. Space transplants about 8–12 inches apart to allow room for spreading stems and airflow, which reduces the risk of mildew.

Container and Hanging Basket Planting


If you’re planting bacopa in containers or hanging baskets, use a high-quality potting mix amended with compost or aged organic matter to boost moisture retention without compromising drainage. Be sure your pot or basket has drainage holes, and consider mixing in perlite or sand for added airflow at the root zone.

Bakopa, Sutera diffusus; Bacopa diffusus blooms with small multicolored flowers.
Bacopa looks beautiful when grown in baskets.

Growing

Watering

Consistent moisture is key to happy bacopa. Water generously and regularly, especially in containers and hanging baskets, which dry out more quickly. Bacopa does not tolerate complete dryness; allowing the soil to dry out even briefly can result in flower and bud drop. If this occurs, don’t panic—resume a consistent watering schedule, and blooms should return within 2 weeks.

Feeding

To support constant flowering, feed bacopa with a balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10) every 1 to 2 weeks during the growing season. Container-grown bacopa benefits especially from routine fertilizing, as nutrients leach out more quickly from pots.

Maintenance and Pruning

Bacopa is self-cleaning, so deadheading isn’t necessary—a huge time saver! However, if the plant becomes leggy or sparse, you can give it a light trim to encourage fuller growth. Occasionally, remove any dead or damaged stems under the foliage to improve air circulation and overall appearance.

Pests and Problems

Diseases: Botrytis blight, Phytophthora crown and root rot, powdery mildew, viruses. 

Pests: aphids, thrips, whiteflies

Types

  • Chaenostoma cordatum ‘Blue Showers’: lavender-blue flowers
  • C. cordatum MegaCopa series ‘Pink Shine’: large pink flowers
  • C. cordatum Snowstorm series ‘Giant Snowflake’: large (12 inch), white flowers; vigorous grower
  • C. cordatum Snowstorm series ‘Snow Globe’: large white flowers

Wit and Wisdom

  • The Bacopa genus, commonly known as water hyssop, includes more than 70 aquatic plants that are typically found growing in moist areas such as marshes, bogs, and water gardens and along streams and rivers. Its members have white flowers and small, relatively thick, succulent evergreen leaves.
  • ”Bacopa monnieri (often called brahmi) is a botanical frequently used in Ayurvedic medicine,” explains Eric A. Walker and Mark V. Pellegrini.

Flowers
About The Author
Carol Connare

Carol Connare

Editor-in-Chief, The Old Farmer's Almanac

Carol Connare is the 14th Editor-in-Chief in the history of The Old Farmer’s Almanac (founded in 1792!), and the second woman to hold the title.As editor, Carol leads a team of talented writers and ed...
Read More from Carol Connare

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