Pogostemon stellatus – Tissue Cultured Aquarium Plant

Overview: Pogostemon stellatus is a stem plant that looks very beautiful and can add to the aesthetic of the tank manifold. The plant belongs from Asia and Australia and attains a beautiful shape and color when the right light and nutrients are provided. It produces thin leaves that bunch together to give a large crown like appearance. The stem can grow up to 20-60 cm and attain a width of 10 cm. The top part of the leaves have an orange color, and the underside has a pinkish-red color. With these multiple colors, the plant looks very beautiful and increases the visual of the tank. It shows a medium growth pattern and requires intense light for showing its true colors. Apart from light, the carbon dioxide requirement is also high.

Advantages: The tissue cultured plant of Pogostemon stellatus is extremely beneficial for the tank as it subsides the chances of pest infestation that may sometime affect other plants drastically. Since they are grown in controlled in-vitro conditions, the water parameter remains intact. It ensures that the life of aquatic plants and other creatures will not alter. Introducing tissue cultured plants is always one of the best choices for the aquarium. It ensures a pest-free and disease-free specimen.

Care: Remove the tissue culture gel from the plant before introducing it to the tank. Clean it thoroughly with water and remove the gel with a soft brush or your hands. The gel may bring slight changes in the water parameters. Therefore, make sure it is completely removed from the plant before burying in the substrate.

Light and other requirements: Pogostemon stellatus is a high demanding plant. It requires a good amount of light and carbon dioxide for growth and development. Other than light and CO2, the requirement of nutrients is also one of the prerequisites. The leaves turn pale in the absence of fertilizers. Sometimes the growth of the plant stops in the lack of light, CO2, and other vital nutrients. Therefore to get the full glory of the plant, it is advised to give it proper nutrients and light.

pH Requirements: The plant can thrive well under the pH requirements ranging between 5.5-8.0.

Propagation: It is very easy to propagate P. stellatus. First of all, promote the side shoots by trimming the top of the stems. Later, the lower stem can be removed by trimming the top and replacing it with the newly cut stem.