The Bacopa—often called the “Snowflake Flower”—gets its name from the tiny, delicate white blooms that look just like a dusting of snow. But don’t let the wintry name fool you! This plant is actually quite the diva when it comes to the cold and can be pretty picky about where it hangs out in your garden.
The Bacopa is a bit of a perfectionist
When it comes to finding the perfect home for your Bacopa, you’ve got to play it cool. This plant isn’t a fan of extremes, so you’ll want to avoid anything too intense.
Keep it cool and hydrated
Even though the Bacopa originally hails from South Africa, it’s surprisingly sensitive to high heat and bone-dry soil. You definitely want to avoid spots with punishing direct sun or that intense midday heat. South-facing balconies or patios usually aren’t the best fit; in those spots, this delicate plant can get sunburned and wither away before you know it.
Watch out for “wet feet”
While the Bacopa hates drying out, it’s just as grumpy about sitting in soggy soil. Standing water leads to root rot, which can kill the whole plant. The secret? Keep the soil consistently moist, like a wrung-out sponge, but never water-logged.
Bright light is the sweet spot
The ideal home for your Bacopa is somewhere bright but protected from the harshest rays. While it can survive in the shade, you’ll notice it won’t produce nearly as many of those beautiful flowers. Aim for partial shade or a spot with gentle morning sun. If you have a sunny balcony, using an awning or umbrella to provide some afternoon relief can make all the difference.
Ways to grow your Snowflake Flower
Because of its trailing growth habit and long, flowing stems, the Bacopa is incredibly versatile. It looks stunning as it spills over the edges of containers. You’ll mostly see it grown in:
- Balcony boxes or patio planters
- Large pots and containers
- Hanging baskets (my personal favorite!)
Heads up: This plant is not winter-hardy
Despite the name, the Snowflake Flower is not winter-hardy at all. In fact, even temperatures just above freezing can damage the roots and foliage. If you want to keep your Bacopa around for next year, you’ll need to bring it indoors to a protected spot for the winter. Once the spring temperatures stay consistently warm, you can move it back outside to its favorite spot on the patio!
