Pogostemon Stellatus (Pogostemon stellatus) Care Guide
An impressive stem plant with star-shaped whorls of narrow leaves that range from green to pink-purple under high light. Creates a dramatic vertical accent in the background of Dutch-style aquascapes.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Pogostemon stellatus is an aquatic plant in the family Lamiaceae. An impressive stem plant with star-shaped whorls of narrow leaves that range from green to pink-purple under high light. Creates a dramatic vertical accent in the background of Dutch-style aquascapes.
Taxonomy
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Genus: Pogostemon
- Scientific name: Pogostemon stellatus
- Other names: Broad Leaf Star Plant, Eusteralis Stellata
Habitat
Native to South and Southeast Asia and northern Australia. Grows in seasonally flooded wetlands. Several geographic and horticultural forms circulate in the hobby ("Octopus", "Dassen", "Narrow Leaf"); under intense light and CO2 the whorled leaves develop pink to violet colouration.
Growth requirements
- Light: high (≥80 PAR at substrate)
- CO2: pressurised CO2 recommended
- Temperature: 22-28 °C
- pH: 5.5-7
- GH: 2-10 °dGH
- Substrate: nutrient-rich aquasoil or fertilised gravel
- Nutrient demand: high
- Growth rate: medium
- Difficulty: advanced
Placement
- Recommended placement: background
- Maximum height: 40 cm
- Trim every: 10 days
Propagation
In cultivation the plant is propagated by stem cuttings (replant the upper portion after trimming).
Propagating Pogostemon stellatus from Cuttings
Overview
Pogostemon stellatus is an aquatic perennial flowering plant from the family Lamiaceae, distributed across East and Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, New Guinea and northern Australia. Its wide range gives rise to many colors and leaf forms, and it is a highly prized decorative and functional species in the aquascaping hobby.
Propagation Method (Cuttings)
The plant grows quickly, so you trim the stems and plant the cut pieces in the substrate to fill empty space. Cuttings root quickly and produce about two to three small stems each where the cuts are made, which is how a single group is multiplied into a dense stand.
Step-by-Step
- Trim a healthy stem, cutting the top 5-10 cm above a whorl of leaves.
- Strip the lowest leaves from the cutting so the buried section stays clean.
- Plant the cut piece into the substrate; before it roots it can be hard to keep down, so use plant weights to stop it floating away.
- Leave the cut stem in place; it will produce roughly two to three new stems at each cut point.
Conditions for Healthy Growth
This stem plant grows under low to medium light and offers good cover for fish and shrimp. In high-tech, brighter setups the leaves start turning purple once they are roughly 4-5 inches from the surface, so stronger light is what brings out the pink-to-purple coloration near the top of the stems.
Trimming & Maintenance
Once established it can grow quite tall in a short time and may require regular trimming. Topping and replanting both controls height and multiplies the plant, and frequent trims keep a colored, even canopy near the light.