Propagating Pogostemon deccanensis from Cuttings

A practical cuttings guide for the fine, needle-leaved Indian stem plant Pogostemon deccanensis (formerly P. erectus), covering topping, light and CO2.

Overview

Pogostemon deccanensis, previously sold as Pogostemon erectus, is a green stem plant of the family Lamiaceae with very fine, needle-thin leaves on bright green, conifer-like stems. It grows vertically in a neat, upright fashion with a relatively compact habit, reaching roughly 15-40 cm, and works as a midground to background plant in groups.

Propagation Method (Cuttings)

Propagation is by cuttings, or topping. The plant has moderate growth and vigorous roots, and cut-off shoots will easily start growing once planted. Topping serves double duty: it harvests a new plant and triggers the lower stem to branch out several times.

Step-by-Step

Select a healthy upright stem and cut off the top 5-10 cm just above a node.
Strip the lowest needle whorls from the cutting to expose clean nodes for rooting.
Push the bare base of the cutting into nutrient-rich substrate; its vigorous roots take hold quickly.
Plant several cuttings close together so the group reads as one dense, feathery clump.
Keep the topped mother stem, which will branch out several times from below the cut.

Conditions for Healthy Growth

Intense light helps the plant stay compact for longer and brings a tinge of yellow to the needle-thin leaf tips when nutrients are sufficient. It carries a medium CO2 requirement and benefits from injected CO2. The plant can be run on heavy water-column dosing or switched to leaner column dosing combined with root feeding.

Trimming & Maintenance

The plant benefits from frequent pruning. Cutting off the tops lets the lower part branch out several times and lets you align the regrown tops to a uniform height. Trim regularly to keep the upright group dense and even rather than leggy.