Pronounciation: Ka-en-o-STOW-ma core-DAY-tum

Hardiness zones
Sunset All (depending on use)
USDA All (depending on use)

Landscape Use: A cool-season bedding plant, ground cover in small scale, formal, mesic mixed flower borders, winter season flower accent, edging, containers, hanging baskets, flower boxes.

Form & Character: Low, diminuative, refined, delicate, humble, honest and pure.

Growth Habit: Evergreen, herbaceous, short-lived perennial treated as a cool season annual in Phoenix. Moderate growth rate, but low, prostrate, spreading or trailing to 2 feet, rarely exceeding 6-inches tall.

Foliage/Texture: Small, green to dark green, glaborous, cordate with slightly scalloped to dentate margins to 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, short petioles somewhat flattened, stems somewhat pubescent; medium fine texture.

Flowers & Fruits: Single, white flowers, 1 inch in diamter, 5 rounded petals symmetrically surrounding a small, yellow center; fruit insignificant.

Seasonal Color: Strong flowering accent herb in Phoenix during the cool season.

Temperature: Bacopa fades fast in Phoenix when daily temperatures begin to exceed 100^oF.

Light: Full sun to partial shade. Full shade greatly inhibits flowering.

Soil: Tolerant, but thrives in soils that are richly amended with organic matter and of moderate to rich nutrient status.

Watering: Bacopa needs regular supplemental water.

Pruning: None

Propagation: Seed, softwood cuttings, division.

Disease and Pests: None

Additional comments: In Phoenix, bacopa is most effectively used in containers, hanging baskets, and raised flower boxes. Flowering is best in full sun. It is such a delicate plant that its use should only be in very close juxaposition to human traffic and activity. Bacopa is the perfect plant to have in flower boxes near outdoor patios and seating areas of public restaurants. There are numerous cultivated varieties, some with pale blue, lilac, to purplish flowers.

Weird and confusing side notes: Regarding the scientific name, 'Chaenostoma' means gaping mouth, while 'cordatum' refers to the more or less heart-shaped leaves. I wonder what those botanist were smoking when they named this plant? Need more? Well, the common name "bacopa" of Chaenostoma cordatum is also used as the scientific genus name (Bacopa species) for a group a tropical herbaceous and succulent plants that are found extensively in moist, amphibious conditions, some being aggressive, aquatic weeds.