About the species

Pogostemon stellatus from Asia and Australia has narrow leaves in dense whorls that radiate around the stem. The stems grow 20–60 centimetres long and up to ten centimetres wide, and in really good light the foliage shifts towards purple and pink. Shop plants are usually low, compact marsh forms that do not show their true shape until they have stood in the tank a while.

Facts

• Latin name: Pogostemon stellatus
• Plant type: Stem plant
• Origin: Asia
• Height: 15–30 cm
• Growth rate: Medium
• Position: Background

Light requirement

High light requirement. It wants a strong light unit and a clear view of the surface — shaded by taller plants it quickly loses its lower leaves. Strong lighting also demands that CO₂ and nutrients stay in balance, otherwise algae take over.

CO₂ & nutrition

Requires injected CO₂ at roughly 15–25 mg/l to grow properly. Without CO₂ it stalls, drops its lower leaves and quickly becomes a foothold for algae. Fertilise daily or every other day with both macro- and micronutrients.

Planting

Split the bunch and set the stems one by one, about two centimetres into the substrate and two to three centimetres apart. Removing the lowest leaves first stops them rotting in the substrate. A group of five to ten stems looks far better straight away than single plants.

Carefully remove the pot and rinse the rock wool off the roots before planting — leftover rock wool can otherwise hinder rooting.

Care & propagation

Top the plant when it reaches the height you want and replant the cuttings — that propagates it and gives a denser group at the same time. Trim regularly so light reaches the lower leaves, and discard the old lower sections once they start thinning out.

Position in the aquarium

Given its mature height it belongs at the back or along the sides, where it forms a dense wall of greenery and hides equipment. In a smaller aquarium it can also be used as a solitaire in one corner.

Difficulty level

🔴 Advanced — requires strong lighting, added CO₂ and careful fertilisation.

Delivery format

Delivered as a pot grown submerged, with the roots in rock wool. The pot holds several plants or stems that can be divided and planted separately.

Recommendation

A challenge for the experienced plant keeper — it demands strong lighting, CO₂ and careful micronutrient dosing, and can stall without warning. Pale leaves are almost always a sign of iron and micronutrient shortage rather than of too little light.