TankBud

Pogostemon erectus

Pogostemon deccanensis

Also known as Indian star plant, Pogostemon sp. 'Erectus', Eusteralis erecta

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Pogostemon erectus (Pogostemon deccanensis)
Aquarium Plants Factory · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light
High light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
Max height
9.8 in
25 cm
Growth rate
Medium
Placement
Midground
Type
Stem
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
2–12 dGH
Spread
1.2 in (3 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Medium
Family
Lamiaceae
Origin
India

Overview

Pogostemon erectus is a neat, upright stem plant for the midground, with fine needle-like leaves that give it a conifer or bottlebrush look. It is not a true beginner plant and rates medium in difficulty.

Did you know

Pogostemon erectus is a close cousin of patchouli. Both are Pogostemon, so the genus behind the classic perfume oil also gives aquascapers this underwater stem.

Caring for Pogostemon erectus

Strip the lower leaves and plant Pogostemon erectus in tight bunches in the midground, where the stems build a textured green column. It needs high light to stay compact.

It grows without injected CO2, but CO2 and regular dosing help it avoid stunting. Feed both the roots and the water, with root tabs and a liquid fertilizer. It tends to stall in hard water combined with heavy water-column nutrients, so go easier on liquid dosing if your tap is hard. It handles 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C).

It grows at a moderate pace and tops out around 15 to 25 cm. It branches readily when trimmed, so cut and replant the tops to build a bushy group.

Good to know

The plant long sold as Pogostemon erectus is now accepted as Pogostemon deccanensis, a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae. Its needle leaves sit in whorls around the stem. That produces the dense, star-like cross-section behind its trade name, Indian star plant.

In the wild

Pogostemon erectus is native to India. It grows in seasonal pools and on wet ground that floods and dries out through the year. In the wild it switches between an emersed land form and the submersed form aquarists grow.

Common questions

Does Pogostemon erectus need to be planted in the substrate?

Yes. Strip the leaves from the lower part of each stem, then push the stems into the substrate one at a time, a little apart.

Does Pogostemon erectus need CO2?

No, but it helps. Pogostemon erectus can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does Pogostemon erectus need?

Pogostemon erectus needs high light from a strong planted-tank LED. In weaker light its stems stretch and drop their lower leaves.

Does Pogostemon erectus need root tabs?

They help. Pogostemon erectus takes nutrients through both its roots and its leaves. Root tabs near its roots and a liquid fertilizer cover both.

How do you propagate Pogostemon erectus?

Pogostemon erectus propagates by cuttings and side shoots. Cut off the top of a stem and replant it, and the stump left behind grows new shoots. Cut a side shoot off once it has a few leaves and plant it on its own.

How tall does Pogostemon erectus grow?

Pogostemon erectus grows to about 9.8 in (25 cm) tall. It grows at a moderate pace.

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