Pogostemon stellatus narrow leaf (Imported)

Pogostemon stellatus is a good plant for a well managed high light tank with supplemental CO2 and regular nutrient supply. It will stunt quickly if nutrients are in short supply. It responds favorably to very intense light, and will become very red, as shown in the photos from the wild. In an aquarium with good conditions but less bright light, it will still grow well, but will be greener. This is true even in the wild. While it prefers sunny locations, it will also grow in the shade, but in these locations, the leaves are not as red.

It is one of the most decorative stem plants in the hobby, perfect as an accent or focal point in the midground to background of medium to large sized aquariums. Its strikingly colored, fine-leaved foliage forms an excellent contrast to other broader leaved or green stem plants.

Lighting should be intense, since the lower portions of the stems have a tendency to shed leaves otherwise. Stable CO2 injection is a must if one wishes to grow this plant to its full potential. Nitrate, phosphate, and micro-nutrients should be added via the water column for long term success. Nitrate (5-20ppm) and phosphate (0.2-2ppm) levels are not too important, as long as they are kept stable. If growing conditions and nutrient levels change too fast, the plant often stunts and produces new side shoots from the top. If both nitrate and phosphate are kept high, this plant will be green. If you choose to run one or both nutrients on the lean side, the plant will produce purple or orange foliage.

This stem plant is also an excellent indicator of iron and micro-nutrients if there is a deficiency, the leaves will be yellow to white in extreme cases.

This whorled stem plant can either grow upright or at an angle above the substrate. It produces many side shoots, which makes propagation easy as they simply have to be trimmed off and replanted. Trimming can be done in two ways: cut and replant the tops or discard the tops and leave the rooted portions in place.

Plant info
Type: Stem
Place of origin: Asia and Australia
Maximum height:
Growth rate: Fast
Lighting: Medium to High
CO2: Medium
Demands: Medium
Position range: Background, Midground
Substrate: Small granulated gravel or sand
Propagation: Cuttings
Temperature range: 15 – 32°C
pH: 5 – 7
Hardness: 0 – 30°dGH