Product information "Bacopa salzmannii 'Purple'"
Bacopa salzmannii 'Purple' – purple aquarium plant
Aqua Art Bacopa salzmannii 'Purple' – an attractive in-vitro aquarium plant with dark purple leaves. Ideal for the midground and colourful aquascapes.
Aqua Art’s Bacopa salzmannii ‘Purple’ is an exceptionally attractive stem plant which adds striking colour accents to the aquarium with its intense reddish-purple to dark purple leaf colouring. Native to South America, this plant is ideal for aquascaping and natural-looking underwater landscapes.
Particularly striking are the oval leaves, which, under suitable conditions, develop a rich purplish-red to dark violet colour. Unlike many other red aquarium plants, Bacopa salzmannii ‘Purple’ displays a characteristic dark colouration that provides a beautiful contrast to light green aquatic plants.
The plant grows relatively slowly and produces upright, sturdy shoots. These usually reach a height of 10–30 cm, but can grow to around 40 cm under favourable conditions. The individual shoots are approximately 3–4 cm wide and may branch out even at the base.
Due to its compact and rather slow growth, Bacopa salzmannii ‘Purple’ is particularly well suited to the midground of the aquarium. In smaller tanks, it can also be used as a decorative background plant.
The plant looks its best when several shoots are planted in small groups. Over time, this creates a dense, colour-rich stand of plants that adds a varied structure to the aquarium design.
Strong lighting is crucial for the intense purple leaf colouration. The more suitable light the plant receives, the darker and more pronounced the reddish-purple hues can become. With weaker lighting, the colouration may be less intense.
Additional CO₂ fertilisation is beneficial for healthy growth. Together with a balanced supply of macro- and micronutrients, it supports the development of vigorous shoots and attractive leaf colour.
Bacopa salzmannii ‘Purple’ is considered relatively easy to care for. Thanks to its slow growth rate, it requires pruning less frequently than many fast-growing stem plants.
Propagation is easily achieved using cuttings. Cut shoot tips can be placed directly back into the substrate, where they will form new roots.
Aqua Art offers this plant as an in vitro culture. The plants are propagated under controlled laboratory conditions and are free from snails, algae and parasites.
With its distinctive leaf colouring and elegant growth habit, Bacopa salzmannii ‘Purple’ is an excellent Wahl for aquarists who wish to add an extraordinary purple colour accent to their aquarium.
Your benefits at a glance
- 1 in-vitro culture cup of Bacopa salzmannii 'Purple'
- Intense reddish-purple to dark purple leaf colouration
- A particularly decorative stem plant for the midground
- Slow growth, reaching a height of approx. 10–30 cm
- More vibrant leaf colours under intense lighting
- Ideal for aquascaping and high-contrast plant groups
- Easy propagation using head cuttings
- Laboratory-propagated culture free from snails, algae and parasites
Instructions for use
Preparing the in vitro plant
- Open the culture cup and carefully remove the plants. Rinse off any remaining nutrient gel thoroughly with clean, lukewarm water
- Then divide the seedlings into small groups of about 1–2 cm and place them in the substrate using aquascaping tweezers
Planting
- Plant the individual clumps in the midground of the aquarium, leaving a little space between them. This gives the shoots enough room to grow and allows them to develop into a dense stand of plants over time
Lighting
- Bacopa salzmannii 'Purple' prefers strong aquarium lighting. High light intensity promotes the intense reddish-purple colouration of the leaves
- In lower light conditions, the plant may remain lighter in colour or take on a greenish hue
CO₂ supply
- A moderate supply of CO₂ is recommended. A steady supply of CO₂ can support growth and colour development
Nutrient supply
- Ensure an adequate supply of macro- and micronutrients. A balanced supply of nitrogen, phosphate, potassium and trace elements is particularly important for healthy plant growth
- A nutrient-rich substrate or regular liquid fertilisation can further promote plant growth
Pruning and propagation
- If the shoots become too long, they can be trimmed with plant shears
- The cut shoot tips can be replanted directly into the substrate. This results in additional plants, and the stand can become denser over time
- Regular pruning encourages the formation of new side shoots and helps to maintain a compact plant cluster.
Zoo Roco Tip
Bacopa salzmannii ‘Purple’ is ideal as a colourful focal point in an aquascape. Its dark purple leaf colour looks particularly beautiful when combined with light green aquarium plants.
We recommend, for example, a layout featuring Micranthemum tweediei ‘Monte Carlo’, light-green Rotala species or delicate aquarium mosses. The strong colour contrast really brings out the purple leaves to their best advantage.
Plant several shoots in small groups, leaving a little space between them. Once the plants have established themselves, the shoot tips can be pruned back regularly and replanted. This will gradually result in a dense, intensely coloured plant population.
To achieve the deepest possible purple colour, we recommend good LED lighting, balanced CO₂ fertilisation and a regular supply of plant nutrients.
Please note that newly introduced in vitro plants initially require an acclimatisation period. The new leaves formed underwater may differ in shape and colour from the original leaves.