How to Grow Bacopa
Sutera cordata
When to Start
Sow indoors 7 weeks before last frost, or direct sow outdoors after frost risk has passed and soil reaches 12°C.
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Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Balanced liquid feed every two weeks. Avoid overfeeding — bacopa flowers best when not overly lush.
- Dainty trailing plant with masses of small white, pink, or lavender flowers. Excellent for softening basket edges. Prefers consistent moisture — wilts dramatically if dry but recovers when watered.
Companion Planting
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Growing Conditions
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- Sow indoors
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- Transplant out
- —
- First harvest
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 20 cm |
| Row spacing | 25 cm |
| Mature height | 15 cm |
| Mature spread | 35 cm |
For trailing varieties in hanging baskets and containers. Creates a dense curtain of small flowers at this spacing.
Care Guide
- Feeding
- Balanced liquid feed every two weeks. Avoid overfeeding — bacopa flowers best when not overly lush.
- Watch for
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- Whitefly
- Aphids
- Generally trouble-free
Pests & Diseases
Pest Whitefly
Identification: Tiny white flying insects on leaf undersides, sticky honeydew, sooty mould on leaves
- Yellow sticky traps near plants
- Soft soap spray on undersides of leaves
- Encourage natural predators
- Pyrethrum-based spray
Pest Aphids
Identification: Clusters of small green insects on shoot tips, sticky honeydew, distorted growth
- Blast off with water
- Soft soap spray
- Pyrethrum-based contact insecticide
Disease Grey Mould (Botrytis) Botrytis cinerea
Symptoms: Fluffy grey mould on stems and leaves, especially in dense growth. Plants rot from the base in wet conditions.
Treatment: Remove affected growth. Improve air circulation. Reduce watering frequency.
Prevention: Space plants to allow airflow. Avoid overhead watering. Remove dead foliage promptly.
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 12°C |
| Base growth temperature | 10°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 11h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Bacopa?
- Plant Bacopa 20cm apart with 25cm between rows.
- When does Bacopa flower?
- Bacopa typically flowers approximately 45 days after transplanting.
- Is Bacopa frost hardy?
- Bacopa is classified as Half Hardy.
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