What's eating my bacopa monnieri?

Bacopa monnieri (water hyssop) grows as an aquarium plant and outdoor pond or bog marginal. Submerged, pest snails and algae are the main issues. Emersed and pond-margin growth is susceptible to aphids, whitefly and spider mites. In outdoor ponds, waterfowl may graze it. Its small, succulent leaves and moderate growth make it reasonably resilient but not immune.

Dense colonies on new stem tips above waterline cause curling, yellowing and sticky honeydew Knock off with a forceful water spray, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to emersed sections; rinse before submerging

Rasping creates small holes in succulent leaves, most visible on young growth Introduce assassin snails or loaches, trap with vegetable bait, reduce tank organic load

Spots on older leaves and threads around stems; worse under fluctuating CO2 or excess light Maintain stable CO2 at 15-25 ppm, add nerite snails and Amano shrimp, shorten photoperiod if algae worsens

Tiny white insects on leaf undersides cause yellowing and honeydew, especially in warm humid conditions Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray to emersed portions; rinse thoroughly before re-submerging or adding to water garden