Baby Tears

Baby Tears (Bacopa monnieri), also commonly known as Brahmi, is a hardy and versatile aquatic plant that makes an excellent choice for beginner aquarists. It is easy to grow, does not require CO2 injection and can be used in a variety of positions within a planted aquarium or water bowl.

With regular trimming, Baby Tears can be encouraged to form a compact, bushy growth. Cutting the stems encourages the plant to produce side shoots, gradually creating a fuller appearance. It can be grown as a foreground to midground bush, or allowed to grow taller as a background stem plant.

Baby Tears can also be grown above the water surface, making it a versatile choice for aquariums and water bowls where you want to create different levels of foliage.

For the best results when growing Baby Tears submerged, plant the roots into a nutrient-rich aquarium soil substrate. We recommend Fluval Plant & Shrimp Stratum 2kg, which provides a suitable growing medium for planted aquariums.

Growing Baby Tears

Botanical Name: Bacopa monnieri
Common Name: Baby Tears, Brahmi
Plant Type: Aquatic stem plant
Growth: Moderate to fast growing
Growth Habit: Bushy when regularly trimmed; upright stem growth when left untrimmed
CO2: Not required
Difficulty: Easy – great for beginners
Growing Position: Submerged or above water
Suitable For: Aquariums, planted tanks and water bowls

How to Plant

Baby Tears is supplied in bunches with roots. Plant the roots directly into a nutrient-rich aquarium soil substrate, leaving the stems and foliage above the substrate.

Give individual stems a little space to allow light to reach the foliage and encourage healthy growth. Once established, the plant can be trimmed regularly to maintain the shape and height you want.

Regular Trimming Encourages Bushy Growth

If you want a compact, bushy Baby Tears plant, regular trimming is the key. Cut back the longer stems and the plant will respond by producing side shoots, creating a fuller and more densely planted appearance.

It can also be allowed to grow taller as a background plant, where its upright stems provide height and structure within the aquarium.

Light Matters

Baby Tears is adaptable, but insufficient light can cause the plant to become leggy and less compact, with more space between the leaves along the stems.

For a fuller, bushier appearance, provide good aquarium lighting and trim regularly to encourage branching.

Can Be Grown Above Water

One of the great features of Baby Tears is its ability to grow both submerged and above the water surface. This makes it particularly useful in water bowls and aquariums with open tops, where stems can be allowed to emerge from the water and develop above-water foliage.

Aquarium Soil Required

When growing Baby Tears submerged, plant it into a nutrient-rich aquarium soil substrate. We recommend:

Fluval Plant & Shrimp Stratum 2kg – a planted-aquarium substrate designed to provide a suitable growing environment for aquatic plants and shrimp.

Why Grow Baby Tears?

• Hardy and easy to grow

• Excellent beginner aquarium plant

• CO2 injection is not required

• Can be grown fully submerged or above water

• Suitable for foreground, midground or background planting

• Regular trimming encourages side shoots and bushier growth

• Versatile for aquariums and water bowls

• Attractive green foliage adds natural structure to planted displays

• Can be shaped and maintained to suit your aquarium

Baby Tears is a great all-round aquatic plant for beginners, particularly if you're looking for something hardy, versatile and easy to maintain without CO2 injection. With the right substrate, good light and regular trimming, it can be shaped into a compact bush or allowed to grow taller as a background plant.