Water Hyssop
Bacopa monnieri
Last reviewed: August 2026
Bacopa monnieri is a low-growing forb that thrives in full sun and consistently wet soil, blooming with small white flowers from March through November.
Toxicity unknown
Water Hyssop (Bacopa monnieri) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
high
Size
6"–12" H × 12"–36" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Native to
TX
Pollinators
butterflies
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
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Water Hyssop is a low-growing native perennial that forms a dense mat of small, succulent-like leaves. It produces tiny white flowers nearly year-round and thrives in consistently moist conditions, making it ideal for rain gardens or pond edges.
Growing Water Hyssop
Grow Water Hyssop in full sun and high water. Mature plants reach 6 to 12 inches tall and spread 12 to 36 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Water Hyssop is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 2 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
Wildlife value
This plant attracts butterflies with its long blooming period from spring through fall. The dense mat provides shelter for beneficial insects and small wildlife.
Common questions
- What growing conditions does Bacopa monnieri need?
- Bacopa monnieri does best in full sun with soil that stays consistently wet to saturated. It grows well along pond edges, ditches, and other low-lying areas that hold moisture.
- How long does Bacopa monnieri bloom?
- In Texas, Bacopa monnieri typically flowers from March through November, producing small white blooms over a long stretch of the growing season.
- Does Bacopa monnieri attract pollinators?
- Bacopa monnieri flowers are visited by butterflies, which use the blooms as a nectar source during the plant's long bloom period.
- Can Bacopa monnieri grow in standing water?
- Yes, Bacopa monnieri tolerates high moisture levels and can grow rooted in shallow standing water as well as consistently damp soil.
- Is Water Hyssop HOA-friendly?
- Water Hyssop is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Water Hyssop? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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